There are a lot of reasons NOT to use a 15-passenger van!  In 2003, NPR did a report on their very high turnover rate – funny thing, these are mostly used by churches and youth service agencies…   Almost simultaneously, Richard R Hammar, J.D., LL.M., CPA and James F. Cobble, Jr., Ed.D, D Mm , ARM published some important information  in a “Church Law & Tax Report Executive Update”.

NPR also noted that 15-passenger vans often have inexperienced van-drivers at the wheel.  These vehicles do NOT handle like a mini-van or passenger car!  That increases the risk, as well.

Churches that continue to use 15-passenger vans to transport people can take specific steps to reduce risk (note also that your insurance and liability vulnerability is increased here too, folks!)  The NHTSA makes the following recommendations to reduce the rollover risk associated with 15-passenger vans:

1. Fewer than 10 occupants. (might as well use a mini-van!!)

2. Load occupants from the front of the van (and we were maybe going to use the rear window?)

3. Each occupant is required to wear a seat belt at all times. The van owner should adopt a written seat belt policy, and drivers should be informed that they are personally responsible for enforcing it. Nearly 80 percent of those killed in 15-passenger van rollovers in 2000 were not wearing seat belts.  (REMEMBER that seat-belts are always required by law in California!!!!!)

4. Absolutely nothing loaded on the van roof. (and that includes your youth minister!)

5. Van drivers should be well rested. (right)

6. Drivers should drive cautiously (maintain a speed that is safe under the conditions, and be especially careful on rural and curved roads). (well, duh…)

7. Inspect tires monthly to check for wear and proper inflation. Worn or improperly inflated tires increase the risk of a blowout. And, a 15-passenger’s tendency to rollover increases dramatically during emergency maneuvers, such as a panic response to a tire blowout. (tire pressure is true for all cars --- not to mention routine maintenance…)

8. If the van’s wheels drop off the roadway, gradually reduce speed and steer back onto the road when it is safe to do so.  (this is a good time to ask if your drivers know what to do in a variety of emergency instances…)

9. Only use drivers who have received specific training on the use of 15-passenger vans. Several options are available, including a van driver certification course offered by the National Safety Council. This training should be repeated every three years.

10. Drivers should keep the van’s gas tank as full as possible.

Here are some additional safety recommendations. Churches can reduce the risk of death and injury, and potential liability, even further by adopting some or all of the following precautions: (these all seem like good precautions for every driver of any car used to transport any number of kids – or adults, even!)

1. Prohibit the van from being driven in excess of 60 miles per hour.

2. Prohibit the towing of heavy or multi-axle trailers or another vehicle.

3. Prohibit the use of any van after 12 o’clock midnight and before 6 A.M. Overnight trips will be an option only if a professional transportation company is used that provides both the vehicle and driver.

4. Prohibit the use of cellular phones by the driver, while operating the vehicle, under any circumstances. However, a cell phone should be on board for use in emergencies so long as it is not used by the driver while operating the van.

5. Require all drivers to be approved pursuant to church policy. Drivers must have the appropriate class of license, and the church should conduct a check of each driver’s record for traffic offenses or license restrictions to determine if the driver is suitable. This should be updated annually. (The forms that we highly recommend for all who drive vehicles, transport children and youth, want to work with your kids, etc. are available on the website.  Please use them!!!!)

6. Drivers should be prohibited from driving for more than ten hours in any twenty-four hour period (unless a shorter limitation is provided under an applicable law or regulation).

7. The van driver is personally responsible for any and all traffic or parking citations, tickets, and fines incurred while he or she is driving.

8. Vans owned or rented by the church can be used only for activities that have been authorized by the church board.

9. While the purchase of a new 15-passenger van is not recommended, if you do buy one, insist on laminated glass in all side windows.

10. Vans should be maintained properly, and inspected frequently by a competent mechanic. Keep a log book of all maintenance performed.

11. Have more than one qualified driver for trips of over 6 hours. Drivers should rotate every 2 hours. (You should be having more than one adult per group in any event, friends!!!  Remember that Jesus sent them out in pairs – and so should we!)

12. Drivers should be at least 21 years of age.(This applies in general to youth ministry work of all kinds, whether driving or not --- your youngest youth advisor should be at least three years older than your oldest youth group member.  Not legalistic, but realistic – there needs to be some “space” between the two!)

13. Be sure that drivers have a list of emergency phone numbers.

14. Use of any sedating prescription or over-the-counter antihistamine (or other medication) by the driver should be strictly prohibited. One church van accident was caused by a driver who was impaired because of his use of an over-the-counter antihistamine while he was driving.  (This, also, should apply to drivers of any vehicles!)

15. Sell 15-passenger vans and obtain minivans. Consider this--many young adults in the church grew up with minivans, and learned to drive in them. This means that finding drivers in the congregation who are familiar with the use of these vehicles is much easier than for 15-passenger vans.  (Now, this may be the best idea yet!!)