Passenger Van Driver Training Grays Harbor College Loss Prevention Guide 8/14/09 The WA State Office of Financial Management requires that anyone that drives a state or college owned large passenger van receives driver training. This requirement was prompted by a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2001 that found that the propensity of a 15 passenger van to roll over in a single vehicle crash increased with the increase in occupancy level. When 15 passenger vans were loaded with more than 10 people, the propensity to rollover in single vehicle accidents increased from 12% to 70%. Because of this, the state no longer allows us to purchase 15 passenger vans and requires that we implement procedures to reduce the potential for rollover accidents for all large passenger vans.

Large Van Handling Characteristics The increased height, length and weight of large cargo and passenger vans affect their handling characteristics. Vans handle differently than sedans even when performing routine vehicle maneuvers. Why do large passenger vans have an increased propensity to rollover? Compared to most cars, large passenger vans are higher, longer and may be wider. They are often loaded heavily with cargo and passengers.

Center of Gravity in Cars The center of gravity for a sedan is usually located at the bumper level of the vehicle. This keeps the car from leaning too far in one direction or another during normal or emergency situations. The low center of gravity also gives the vehicle road stability. The center of gravity for a large van is different from a sedan. Most sedans have a low center of gravity which gives the vehicle stability.

Center of Gravity in Large Vans Much higher due to size and shape of van. Center of gravity increases when add cargo or passenger weight. When filled to capacity, high as the steering wheel. A passenger van’s center of gravity is inherently higher due to its size and shape. As the van is loaded with passenger and cargo the center of gravity continues to rise . When filled to capacity, it could be as high as the steering wheel.

Results of High Center of Gravity Compromises the stability of the van especially during quick, unplanned maneuvers such as: Sudden turns Striking a curb at higher speeds Running off the payment Trying to bring wheels back to road surface too quickly. The rising of the center of gravity seriously compromises the stability of the van especially during quick, unplanned maneuvers such as sudden turns, striking a curb at a high rate of speed or running off the pavement and trying to bring the wheels back to the road surface or lane too quickly.

The Impaired Driver Lack of sleep Alcohol or drug use Fatigue Sick Impaired driving, whether caused by driving under the influence or lack of rest may result in a vehicle gradually drifting out of its lane onto the shoulder or over into the median of the road. All too often the driver panics and over corrects setting the stage for a rollover accident. A qualified driver must be on board for every 400 miles. Drivers should not drive more than 4 hours at a time and should take a 10 minute break every 2 hours A “shotgun” rider should be assigned for long trips and for any trip involving driving at night.

The Distracted Driver Minimize distractions when driving Do not use cell phones Don’t eat or drink. Rely on “shotgun” rider to adjust radio, help with directions, operate electronic equipment. Don’t discount the importance of distractions. Minimizing distractions will help you stay focused on the important task of driving the van. Be aware that one of your biggest distractions will be from the passengers inside the van itself. If your passengers get a little out of control, it is your responsibility to take control and eliminate the risk of becoming distracted. Van passengers distract driver

How to handle running off the pavement Slow down! But avoid severe brake application. Slow down gradually. Ease vehicle back only after greatly reducing speed. Avoid turning the steering wheel too sharply while returning to road surface. The NHTSA found that in 90% of rollover vehicle crashes the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road. The major causes were drifting onto the shoulder on narrow rural roads, driver fatigue, driving too fast for conditions and “overcorrecting” the steering in an emergency or to a wheel dropping off the pavement. If your wheel drops off the pavement, slow down gradually. Do not return to the roadway until your speed is greatly reduced. Avoid turning the steering wheel sharply. It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow down gradually before returning to the pavement. It may also be less risky to strike small objects such as highway reflectors with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempting a sudden return to the pavement.

Taking curves too fast Can cause a significant shift of weight causing the van to lean in the opposite direction of the curve. As the weight of van shifts in response to the curve, the tires will come off the roadway and the van will literally flip on its side. Driving too fast through curves can also cause a significant shift of weight causing the van to lean in the opposite direction of the curve. As the weight shifts, the tires will come off the road and the van will flip on its side. To prevent this, be sure to slow down and obey any speed warning signs posted before curves.

Tire Failure A primary contributor to any vehicle rollover is loss off control caused by tire failure Tread separations can result in a dramatic loss of stability and directional control. Causes vehicle weight to shift and become unbalanced.. Because vans, trucks and SUVs have a higher center of gravity, they are particularly susceptible to this result Many large van accidents have been caused by tire failure. Tests have shown the improperly inflated tires are a leading cause of tire failure. If your tire fails, ease gently off the gas. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Keep the vehicle pointed straight and gently use your brakes to slow down. When your speed is reduced, pull off the road.

What to do if tire fails Ease gently off the gas Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel While gently easing into the brakes, keep the vehicle pointed straight ahead and gradually reduce your speed. Pull off the road without making any radical steering inputs. If your tire goes flat or blows out, ease off the gas. While keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel, gently use your brakes to slow the vehicle down. Keep the vehicle pointed straight ahead. When your vehicle has slowed enough, pull of the road.

What not to do if tire fails Do not hit the brakes hard. . Do not move the steering wheel abruptly. Do not brake sharply or move the steering wheel abruptly. Violent braking will further destabilize the vehicle by causing a rapid transfer of weight from back to front. Jerking the wheel in reaction to a tire blowout will almost always result in a skid.

Adverse Weather Postpone trip if weather is bad Reduce speed Hydroplane in wet weather Wind affects stability Leave extra space Because of it’s boxy non-aerodynamic shape, combined with the already high center of gravity, large vans react very differently to adverse weather conditions than the vehicles we are used to driving. They tend to hydroplane more intensely. Wind blasts are felt more intensely. Vacuum that is created by large trucks and buses may rock the van with the wind coming from any direction. In case of severe weather, consider canceling or postponing the trip. If you are caught in bad weather, reduce your speed. Leave more space between you and surrounding vehicles. Keep both hands on the wheel and continually scan the traffic as far ahead as possible to help determine if there is a situation ahead that you cannot yet see.

Before Leaving Check mirrors and adjust as needed Familiarize yourself with location and operation of key vehicle devices (lights, windshield wipers, heater, etc) Check that all equipment/belongings stowed Check that all passengers are seated with seatbelts on Before driving off in the van, check that all equipment and belongings have been stowed and that nothing has been left on the street or curb. Make sure the mirrors are adjusted properly for maximum vision. Properly adjusted mirrors enable the driver to spot traffic hazards or other conditions and respond to them in a controlled manner. Be sure you know how to operate the lights, windshield wipers, emergency flashers, heat, etc before putting the van in gear. Make sure all passengers are seated with their seatbelts fastened.

Seatbelts Drivers and passengers must buckle up. Eighty percent of people who died last year in single vehicle rollovers were not buckled up. Seat belt use is especially critical because large numbers of people die in rollover crashes when they are partially or completely thrown from the vehicle. NHTSA estimates that people who wear their seatbelts are about 75% less likely to be killed in a rollover crash than people who don’t.

Stopping and Following Stopping distance is longer in van than sedan Allow a three to four second following distance Increase following distance in inclement weather Visualize where vehicle will be in 12 seconds Driving defensively increases driver and passenger safety. The stopping distance in a van is longer than a sedan because the van weighs more. Allowing a minimum of a three to four second following distance will give you time to maneuver if you become involved in a dangerous situation. Visualize where your vehicle will be in twelve seconds. This is not your following distance. This allows you to look ahead and see potential problems before you have to react to them. For example, the temperature outside is 30 degrees on December 15th and the road is bare and dry. Ahead you notice a bridge. You know that bridges under these conditions can be icy due to condensation. By looking ahead, you will have to time slow your vehicle down to a safe speed in anticipation of the potential ice on the bridge.

Changing Lanes and Turning Create more space by reducing or increasing speed Use mirrors Ask for help from passengers Put blinkers on early Reduce speed For left turn, start turn farther forward For right turn, start turn as far into the intersection as possible. Making a lane change or merging into traffic can be challenging in a large van. Plan your turns in advance. Signal your intentions to merge or change lanes by engaging the blinkers early. Give yourself more room by speeding up or slowing down. Vans filled with passengers have many blind spots. Ask your passengers to help you merge or change lanes. Remember, the turning radius on a van is greater than a regular vehicle due to its length. Reduce your speed and again, signal your intention to turn early. For left turns, start the turn farther forward into the intersection and leave plenty of room to avoid hitting any vehicle waiting to enter the intersection from the left. For right turns, double check that there isn’t a pedestrian, bike or another vehicle between your van and the curb. Try to make a square turn by moving the vehicle just far enough to the left so that when you have completed the turn the rear of the van won’t run over the curb.

Backing/Parking the van Try and avoid parking where you need to back out Use spotters Set parking brake On hill, turn wheels so van will roll against curb Back toward driver’s side The majority of van accidents at the college occur when drivers back into something – a tree, a light pole, another vehicle. The best defense is to try and avoid situations where you will have to back out. If that isn’t possible, don’t be proud. Ask someone to get out and spot for you. When backing, always back toward the driver’s side. When parking the van be sure and set the parking brake. If you are on a hill, turn the wheels so that if the van starts to roll, it will roll against the curb.

Loading and Unloading Passengers Park van out of traffic or traveled lane. Turn on hazard flashers Turn ignition off when not in driver’s seat Park on level surface and apply emergency brake Assist passengers as needed Make sure all passengers are clear of van before pulling forward. Use extra caution when loading and unloading passengers. Park in an area where passengers can enter or exit safely. Turn on your hazard lights and never leave the vehicle running if you are not in the driver’s seat.

Brakes on Steep Grades Downshift to let engine compression dictate your speed Maintain speed that reduces need to brake If lose brakes, pump pedal Passenger vans, especially when fully loaded, are heavy. It takes a lot of braking energy to stop these vehicles when traveling at higher speeds. Compounding this is the added element of gravity when traveling down long, steep grades. Excessive use of brakes under these conditions can render your brakes ineffective which can lead to catastrophic accidents. Down shift the vehicle to allow the engine compression to dictate your overall speed. This means shifting the vehicle from drive to a lower gear such as 2nd. Try to maintain an overall speed that allows you to safely navigate bends and corners without having to excessively use the vehicle’s brakes. Do not “fly” down the straight road sections only to have to excessively use the brakes for the winding portions. If you lose the brakes, pump the pedal aggressively to try and pump fluid back into the reservoir.

Yield to Safety Courtesy pays off Driving defensively pays off. It’s worth the courtesy and effort of giving the other driver the “right-of-way”. Courteous driving practices minimize citizen complaints and may also help deter potential road rage incidents. This completes Grays Harbor College’s large passenger van training slide show.

Question #1 Which of the following contribute to the potential for vans to be involved in a rollover accident? Excessive speed Improperly inflated tires Driver distraction All of the above Please read the following questions and check the correct answer on your answer sheet. If you are viewing this in a group, the group should answer the questions out loud. There may be more than one correct answer or none of the answers may be correct. When you have answered the question, click anywhere on the slide to continue to the next slide which will give you the correct response. If you are viewing this on-line, turn in your answer sheet to the campus operations office. Question #1. Please check all the factors that can contribute to the rollover potential in large vans.

Answer to Question #1 Which of the following contribute to the potential for vans to be involved in a rollover accident? Excessive speed Improperly inflated tires Driver distraction All of the above All of the above.

Question #2 A large passenger van will “drive” and react similarly to a standard passenger vehicle. True False Will large passenger vans drive and react to emergency conditions similar to your regular passenger vehicle?

Answer to Question #2 A large van will “drive” and react similarly to a standard passenger vehicle. True False Because of the size, shape and weight of large passenger and cargo vans, they handle differently even when performing routine vehicle maneuvers.

Question #3 Which of the following are true? The high center of gravity in large vans helps give the vehicle road stability. The center of gravity in large vans is not much higher than sedans when lightly loaded. Both are false. Which of the following statements about the center of gravity in large vans is true?

Answer to Question #3 Which of the following are true? The high center of gravity in large vans helps give the vehicle road stability. The center of gravity in large vans is not much higher than sedans when lightly loaded Both are false Neither are true. The high center of gravity creates less stability and even when lightly loaded is much higher than a sedan.

Question #4 If your tire blows out, you should Keep both hands on the steering wheel Pump the brakes hard to slow down quickly Pull off the road gradually. What should you do if your tire blows?

Answer Question #4 If your tire blows out, you should Keep both hands on the steering wheel Pump the brakes hard to slow down quickly Pull off the road gradually. Braking hard can help destabilize your vehicle. Keep you hands on the wheel and pull off the road gradually.

Question #5 It is not necessary for passengers in vans to wear seatbelts. True False Do passengers need to wear seatbelts?

Answer to Question #5 It is not necessary for passengers in vans to wear seatbelts True False All passengers as well as the driver need to wear their seatbelt whenever they are in the van.

Question #6 A ten (10) second following distance between the van and the vehicle in front of the van is a recommended minimum. True False You should leave a minimum of 10 seconds following distance between the van and the vehicle in front of the van.

Answer to Question #6 A ten (10) second following distance between the van and the vehicle in front of the van is a recommended minimum. True False Three to four seconds is the recommended following distance.

Question #7 When parking on an incline/decline, you don’t need to apply the parking brake if you shift the transmission into PARK. True False Do you need to use the parking brake if you put the transmission in Park?

Answer to Question #7 When parking on an incline/decline, you don’t need to apply the parking brake if you shift the transmission into PARK. True False When parking the vehicle, you should always apply the parking brake. On an incline you should also turn your wheels so that the vehicle will roll against the curb if the brakes should fail.

Question #8 Vehicle momentum can increase the chance of rolling a large passenger or cargo van when cornering. True False Will the vehicle’s momentum increase the chance of rolling a van when cornering?

Answer to Question #8 Vehicle momentum can increase the chance of rolling a large passenger or cargo van when cornering. True False As the speed of the vehicle increases, the chance of rolling the vehicle when cornering also increases because the shift in weight causes the van to lean in the opposite direction of the curve.

Question #9 When traveling down a long, steep downhill stretch, you should: Down-shift Hold your foot on the brake A and B What should you do when traveling down a long steep downhill stretch?

Answer to Question #9 When traveling down a long, steep downhill stretch, you should: Down-shift Hold your foot on the brake A and B Downshift to let the compression of the engine slow you down. Continually holding your foot on the brake will cause the brakes to get hot and potentially not work. You need to use your brakes in addition to down-shifting.

Question #10 You are driving when your cell phone rings. You should: Answer the call Have someone else answer Ignore the call B or C What should you do if your cell phone rings?

Answer to Question #10 You are driving when your cell phone rings. You should: Answer the call Have someone else answer Ignore the call B or C You should only answer the call when you are safely stopped. Otherwise, ignore the call or ask a passenger to answer it for you.

Question #11 Many van accidents are caused by “overcorrecting”. True False Does overcorrecting cause many van accidents?

Answer to Question #11 Many van accidents are caused by “overcorrecting”. True False Because of the higher center of gravity of passenger and cargo vans, overcorrecting is a significant cause of accidents in these vehicles.

Question #12 When backing a van into a parking space, you should: Back toward the driver’s side Use spotters Avoid situations where you need to back All of the above When backing into a parking space, you should do which of the following?

Answer to Question #12 When backing a van into a parking space, you should: Back toward the driver’s side Use spotters Avoid situations where you need to back All of the above All of the above.

Question #13 When loading and unloading passengers, you should: Turn on your headlights – Not your hazard flashers Park the van out of traffic or the traveled lane Leave the motor running while you assist passengers Which safety tips for loading and unloading passengers are true?

Answer to Question #13 When loading and unloading passengers, you should: Turn on your headlights – Not your hazard flashers Park the van out of traffic or the traveled lane Leave the motor running while you assist passengers You should turn on your hazard flashers, not your headlights and you should never leave the driver’s seat when the engine is running.

Flipped Dump Truck AAA is not going to believe this one And you thought YOU had a bad day? And they said it couldn't be done! Apparently UPS didn't see the "this side up" sticker when they delivered it. Archeologists unearth the real way Egyptians hauled blocks for the pyramids Isn't there an easier way to change the tires? OK, lets get our story straight before the boss gets back Just for fun. This is the end of the van driver training slideshow. Turn in your completed test to the campus operations office.