Institutions that use 15-passenger vans to transport student-athletes or other students on field trips should take note of a recent consumer advisory regarding the vans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a cautionary warning April 9 to users of 15-passenger vans, citing an increased risk of rollover when those vans carry more than 10 occupants.

"Our concern is that the handling characteristics of these vehicles change dramatically when they are fully loaded with 10 or more passengers," said Rae Tyson, an NHTSA spokesperson. "The risk of rollover increases three times when they are loaded."

The group's analysis revealed that loading the 15-passenger van causes the center of gravity to shift rearward and upward, increasing the likelihood of rollover. It also found that the shift in the van's center of gravity also increases the potential for loss of control in panic maneuvers.

The NHTSA study also noted that even when carrying between one and four passengers, the 15-passenger vans were 17 percent more likely to be involved in a rollover accident than smaller vans or minivans.

Because of these risks, the NHTSA has announced that "it is important that 15-passenger vans be operated by experienced drivers." While drivers of 15-passenger vans are not required to possess a commercial driver's license, the NHTSA notes that drivers should be familiar with the handling characteristics of vans, especially when the vans are fully loaded.

The NHTSA urged institutions using 15-passenger vans to require seat-belt use at all times since buckling up dramatically increases the chances of survival during a rollover crash. The federal agency noted that 80 percent of victims who died in 15-passenger van rollover accidents last year were not wearing seat belts.

While federal law prohibits the sale of 15-passenger vans for the transport of high-school age students and those who are younger, no such prohibition exists for vehicles that transport college students or other passengers.

The models examined by the NHTSA were: the Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, Dodge Ram Van and Wagon, Ford Econoline, Ford Club Wagon and GMC Rally/Vandura.

"These are perfectly safe vehicles if they are used properly," said Mike Morrisey, a spokesperson for the General Motors Corporation. "People should always remember that loading affects handling characteristics."

The NCAA, which does not have a policy regarding van travel by member institutions, issued an advisory to representatives of all NCAA member schools April 10, notifying them of the NHTSA's announcement.

Wallace I. Renfro, NCAA director of public relations, noted that whether to use 15-passenger vans and under what conditions remains the decision of each individual institution within the NCAA.

"I think all member schools are interested in safety issues, and they will see how it applies to them," Renfro said of the NHTSA's advisory. "At the end of the day, it's like the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit. You're dependent on individual compliance."

For additional information on van travel in intercollegiate athletics, see "Warning: Road risks ahead," from the August 28, 2000, issue of The NCAA News. The NHTSA consumer advisory and report, "The Rollover Propensity of Fifteen-Passenger Vans" are also available on the NHTSA's Web site.