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New California state law forces schools to adhere to 15-passenger van bill
November 10, 2004
A new California law affects vans originally designed for 15 or more passengers, even if they have been converted to use for 10 passengers. AB 626 was passed by the state legislature September 11 and approved by the governor September 28. The bill's author, Carol Liu, D-Pasadena, cited research showing a 15-passenger van loaded with 10 passengers has a high center of gravity, which increases the likelihood of rollovers. In addition, drivers inexperienced in operating the 15-passenger vans affect the safety record.
Between 1990 and 2001, 1,003 people died in 15-passenger van crashes, in addition to 316 15-passenger van rollovers. The California state law will require public and private schools and community colleges that own 15-passenger vans to authorize them to be driven only by someone with a commercial driver's license and an endorsement for operation passenger transportation. The National Transportation Safety Board has said 15-passenger vans, because of their design, are involved in a greater number of single vehicles accidents resulting in rollover crashes than any other passenger vehicles.For more information on crashworthiness and 15-passenger van rollovers, contact us to confer with an attorney.
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