15-Passenger Van Warning Issued By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning to users of 15-passenger vans to take specific safety steps in keeping its occupants safe. There had been two recently reported fatal truck crashes, one in New York and one in Georgia involving 15-passenger vans that have rolled over and resulted in ten deaths.

NHTSA has warned that tire maintenance is essential in preventing rollover crashes. Users of 15-passenger vans are cautioned to make sure that the vehicles have appropriately-sized tires that are inflated to the correct level before each trip. NHTSA has also recommended that spare tires not be used as replacements for worn tires. Fifteen-passenger vans have a history of tire wear that necessitates rotation of tires and/or replacement on a regular basis. Many tire manufacturers recommend that tires older than ten years old not be used at all.

Many of these vans are used for church groups, non-profit organizations, colleges and public schools.

NHTSA also advises that operators of these vans should be properly trained, the vehicle should be in good working order, the vehicle should not be overloaded because of its propensity to rollover, tires should be properly sized, tires should be inflated to the correct level and should be replaced should they show signs of wear. In addition, NHTSA advises that passengers should be seat-belted for every trip.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Illinois truck accident lawsuits for over 30 years, serving those areas in and around Cook County, including Arlington Heights, West Chicago, Lake Forest, and Orland Park.