How Safe Are School Bus Mini Vans?

Although mini-vans lack in many safety features of traditional buses--such as compartmentalized seating--mini vans are still used to transport some students to classes and activities.

Significance

According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), American students are nearly eight times safer riding to and from school in a school bus as opposed to any other mode of transportation.

Warning

Students in mini vans face a greater risk to their safety; these vehicles are not legally held to the same occupant-safety standards as are regular school buses.

Rollover Potential

Mini vans are associated with higher rollover potential than many other types of passenger vehicles.

Driver Requirements

These nine to 15-passenger vehicles are not legally classified as buses; therefore, their operators are not held to the same high standards as those that have obtained commercial driver's licenses.

Considerations

In order to discourage the use of mini vans for student transportation, manufacturers and auto dealerships are forbidden by law from selling these vehicles to school districts.

References

• NHTSA: School Bus Crashworthiness Research
• Improving Passenger Van Safety

Resources

• NHTSA Guidelines: Pupil Transportation Safety
• Vans Used for School Transportation

Photo Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jenn