Auto manufacturers have known for decades that 12- and 15- passenger vans are dangerous because of their inherent instability, leading to loss of control and a propensity to roll over. These roll-overs are often tragically fatal. Yet, automakers have continued to market these dangerous vans nationwide and in Arizona to church groups, athletic organizations, schools including daycares, senior centers, and work groups, without driver assistance technologies aka crash avoidance technology.

While these vans are convenient, they do not drive like a minivan. Drivers and passengers must use caution to minimize the risks associated with these vehicles. Some precautions include: (1) Passenger vans should only be driven by experienced, licensed drivers. Although not required in most states, a commercial driver’s license is ideal; (2) Drivers should be well rested and should not drive more than 8 hours per day; (3) Passenger vans should ALWAYS obey the posted speed limit or less depending upon weather and road conditions. Passenger vans require additional time to brake and cannot handle abrupt maneuvers like a car. Passenger vans are longer, heavier, and wider than a car, and require additional space to maneuver, turn, and change langes; (4) Passenger van tires should be inspected, including checking tire pressure, before each use; and (5) Passengers should fill from the front to the back. The driver should never allow the van to overfill with passengers. When the van is not full, passengers should sit in seats that are in front of the rear axle. Passengers should always wear seatbelts.

Ideally, every passenger van should also come equipped with driver assistance technologies including electronic stability control, forward collision warning, and lane assist. Indeed, if every auto manufacturer included these assistance technologies as standard equipment it is estimated that 94% of fatal crashes could be eliminated.

Vans should be designed and tested to ensure a reasonable level of stability because of their high center of gravity, wheelbase, and rearward overhang of the rear axle. This rollover stability testing should also address emergency maneuvering conditions and not merely be limited to perfect driving conditions. For years, automakers have known that readily available, economical, and technologically feasible design alternatives, e.g, crash avoidance technology, would minimize and eliminate risk of serious injury or death from handling defects and rollover instability of passenger vans. For example, in the early 1970s, engineers identified the instability problem and recommended adding dual rear wheels to enhance load capacity, and to improve traction and handling. However, auto manufacturers’ cost considerations took precedence over the potential to save human lives.

The risks presented by the inherent instability of large passenger vans is compounded when the manufacturer doesn’t take into consideration the crashworthiness of the vehicles. Occupant protection and containment is critical in a large passenger van. There must be adequate roof strength in case of a potential rollover crash. It is not simply the risk of crushing an occupant. If the roof structure collapses, the windshield and side windows can break out, which could result in the occupant being ejected. Likewise, if the side windows of a passenger van is made of tempered glass, it can easily fracture and breakout creating a risk of ejection and enhanced injuries.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/15-passenger-vans