Circumstances surrounding fatal crashes involving 15-passenger vans, 1985-2004

The objective of this report was to document the circumstances surrounding fatal crashes that involved at least one 15-passenger van over the twenty year period, 1985 - 2004. The study covered 1,610 vans and drivers and a total of 8,594 occupants. The study found that restraint use was very low among the occupants of these vehicles. Fifty-six percent of the drivers killed were unrestrained, as were 57 percent of front-seat passengers, and 71 percent of rear seat occupants. Restraint use also fell as occupancy rose. Overall, only 19 percent of those killed were restrained. Rollover was a major factor in these crashes. Sixty-three percent of those killed died in a crash involving a rollover. As has been found in previous research, the likelihood of rollover rose dramatically with increases in occupancy beyond 7-8 occupants. Tire failure was an issue in both rollovers and fatalities. Nearly 10 percent of the fatalities and 16 percent of incapacitating injuries occurred in crashes involving a tire-related factor. Ninety-six percent of the vehicles with a tire failure rolled over.

• Record URL:
  http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/TTI-2006-3.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Center for Transportation Safety. Texas Transportation Institute

  College Station, Texas  United States 
• Authors:
  • Willis, D K
• Publication Date: 2006-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 11p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: TTI-2006-3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash analysis; Crash records; Failure; Fatalities; Light vehicles; Motor vehicle dynamics; Overturning; Seat belt use; Stability analysis; Tires; Vehicle design; Vehicle occupants; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (engineering and vehicles)
• ATRI Terms: Crash analysis; Crash record; Failure; Fatality; Light commercial vehicle; Overturning; Restraint usage; Tyre; Vehicle occupant; Vehicle safety; Vehicle stability
• ITRD Terms: 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Design; Passenger Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01388705
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 1:13AM