Many church leaders and child care administrators don't realize that 15-passenger vans are not held to the same government safety requirements as school buses. An April 2001 National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) study tells of the propensity to roll significantly increases as occupancy levels rise in 15 passenger vans. The NHTSA research revealed that in vans with 10 or more occupants, the rollover ratio is 3 times the ratio of vans with lighter passenger loads (5 or fewer occupants). At full capacity, the rollover risk is 6 times greater than figures for the lighter load.

In order to transport pupils, a vehicle must meet federal school bus safety requirements and be certified. A non-conforming van or passenger vehicle has not been approved to meet this strict criteria. Federal law prohibits the sale of new 11-15 passenger vans to schools and day care centers if they are used to transport students to and from school on a regular basis. It is also against the law for a auto dealer to sell a new, non-conforming van or passenger vehicle for this same purpose.

Insurance companies are now looking at these vehicles and the risks involved and in some cases have told their church clients that they are not going to issue any new polices to insure new purchases of these 11-15 passenger vans. In other cases churches are being told they are going to have their liability portion of their policy cancelled and they will have to look at other means of coverage. And a lot are being told the best thing to do is simply get rid of their current vans.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

Type A school buses, MFSAB, and AAV's like Girardin Minibus manufactures, are encased in a steel cage, providing the ultimate structural strength in case of an accident. Non -conforming vans simply don't have the same safety designs and structural integrity as is found on certified school buses. A 1996 National Safety Council determined school buses to be the safest form of transportation available. Research shows that the risk of death to a passenger traveling in a school bus is 172 times less than the risk of someone traveling in a standard automobile.

"Safer Alternatives" Small school buses Multi functional school activity bus Allowable Alternate Vehicles

with comparable seating to the 15- passenger van offer a smoother, more stable, safer ride and don't have the same propensity for rollover as the 15 passenger vans. These buses have been approved and are legal to use. The main differences and most noticeable of the Multi-functional school activity buses and Allowable alternate vehicles are the white exteriors, lack of stop arms, and flashing lights. These multi functional vehicles were brought about for a safer alternative when transporting people.

Most people think the cost of a bus is much greater than a van but when you look at all the costs it ends up being only approximately 10% more. The useful life of 8 to 10 years for a school type bus is considerably longer then that of a passenger van. And because of the way they are built they can take more abuse and require less maintenance.