A 15-passenger van carrying 18 berry pickers plus the
driver was travelling to a blueberry farm. The right rear
tire on the van blew out, causing the vehicle to veer off
the highway and roll on its side. One of the berry pickers
died, and all the other occupants of the van were injured.
Although rollovers may occur with any number of passengers
in a vehicle, 15-passenger vans have a much higher risk
of rollover when 10 or more people ride in the van. The
increased weight makes the vehicle more difficult to control
than regular passenger vehicles. Drivers may need to adjust
their speed to compensate for increased braking distance
and
poorer cornering ability.
Safe work practices:
- Select an experienced and competent driver.
- Always use seat belts, one for each person.
- Do not exceed the safe seating capacity of the vehicle
as stated by the manufacturer.
- Inspect the vehicle before each shift to ensure it is
safe for use.
