Say Good-Bye To Our Beloved Troop Van

Post date: Apr 7, 2015 3:37:01 PM

Reprinted from Council Web-Site

Effective September 1, 2015, the use of 15-passenger vans manufactured before 2005 will no longer be allowed in connection with Scouting programs and activities and will no longer be covered under BSA liability insurance. Any 2005 or later 15-passenger vans may be used if equipped with Electronic Stability Control and seat belts for all passengers, as well as the driver. This applies to all vehicles, regardless of ownership.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that 15-passenger vans with 10 or more occupants had a rollover rate nearly three times that of one carrying fewer than five passengers. A major factor was the high center of gravity of the vehicle when loaded.

• Fully loaded 15-passenger vans are three times more likely to roll over during an emergency maneuver, such as steering overcorrecting to avoid a hazard

• Nonprofessional drivers overestimate their skills

• Failure to wear seat belts dramatically increased the likelihood of not surviving a rollover

The BSA has determined that the risk posed by the use of 15-passenger vans manufactured before 2005 are such that they should not be used. Most pre-2005 vans without ESC have already been retired and are no longer in use.

Below are safety tips issued by NHTSA for anyone planning a trip in 15-passenger vans:

• Make sure that the vehicle is properly maintained (correct size tires, steering, brakes, ESC, etc.). The best practice is to complete an inspection checklist daily or before use.

• Make sure drivers are trained and experienced in operating 15-passenger vans and are properly licensed. (There are online resources for drivers to learn about the safe operation of these vehicles. For example, see http://www.safetyworksmaine.com/training/online_classes/15passvan.pdf).

• 15-passenger vans are very sensitive to loading and should not be overloaded under any circumstances. Agency research shows overloading not only increases rollover risk but also makes the vehicle more unstable in any handling maneuvers. For example, passenger capacity should be reduced by one for every 150 pounds of gear, and roof-mounted storage units should not be used.

• Make sure that properly sized tires are being used on the vehicle.

• Before every trip, drivers should check the tires for proper inflation and make sure there are no signs of excessive or uneven wear. The “penny test” is a good indicator of whether tread depth meets the minimum requirements.

• Make sure all passengers wear seatbelts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Can we remove seats from our 15-passenger vans to meet this new policy?

A. No. Improper loading of cargo can be just as much of a hazard to the driver as a passenger loaded vehicle is to occupants.

Q. Does this apply to our chartered organizations?

A. Yes. The prohibition applies to any vehicles used in connection with Scouting programs or activities. This applies regardless of ownership, including rental vehicles.