Major Vehicle Exchange

The Rollover Risk: Why Vans Are a Safety Hazard

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted extensive research on rollover crashes involving 15-passenger vans. Their findings are clear: vans are significantly more prone to rollovers than traditional buses.

One NHTSA study, “A Study of the Stability Performance of 15-Passenger Vans” (2002), found that overloaded vans (carrying more than 10 passengers) were nearly seven times more likely to rollover in a single-vehicle crash compared to vans with fewer passengers. Even with a typical passenger load, the risk of rollover is nearly three times higher compared to lightly loaded vans.

This increased rollover risk translates to a higher risk of serious injury and death for passengers. In the event of a rollover, passengers in a van are more likely to be ejected from the vehicle due to the lack of a strong upper body structure.

Beyond Safety: The Insurance Dilemma

The safety concerns associated with vans aren’t the only drawback. Many insurance companies are hesitant to provide coverage for overloaded 15-passenger vans used for church activities. This leaves your church, and potentially its drivers and passengers, vulnerable in case of an accident.

While churches might not be considered “commercial” entities, the sheer number of passengers a van carries puts it in a different insurance category compared to a standard passenger van. This can lead to higher premiums or even difficulty securing coverage altogether.