American Center for Van and Tire Safety

5013 Jade Pasture Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918   Tel: 865-951-3544

www.acfvats.org

2009 Year in Review - Actions and Activities

Jan - Dec

Continued to monitor the internet for 15-passenger van accidents. Periodically updated our list of accidents and posted same on our website.

Feb - Dec

Began working with NHTSA and their PR firm on the planning and implementation of a 15-passenger van outreach program. Continued to be in contact throughout the year. Implementation of the program has been delayed due to NHTSA changing PR firms during 2009 and awaiting the appointment of a new NHTSA Administrator by the Obama Administration. Currently expect implementation in 2010.

Feb. 20 - 21    

Attended "Smokey Mountain Youth Conference" in Pigeon Forge, TN. Had a booth and distributed informational handouts on 15-passenger van safety.

March 9

            Contacted the three largest insurance companies covering church vans (GuideOne             Insurance, Church Mutual Insurance and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance).

            Requested that they send all their policy holders, with 15-passenger vans,

            either our list of safety guidelines or their safety guidelines, with a warning on tire age and

            instructions on how to determine tire age. GuideOne and Brotherhood Mutual

            responded but declined our request. Even after a follow-up letter, Church Mutual did 

            not respond.   

March 24       

            Petitioned US Congressmen James Oberstar, Peter DeFazio, John Mica and John             Duncan to include a section on 15-passenger van safety in the upcoming

            Federal Highway Authorization Bill. The current Highway Bill (SAFETEA-LU) was

            due to expire in 2009. Requested the following:

1.      Incentive grants for individual states to establish a system requiring a driver's license "endorsement" to operate a 15-passenger van.

2.      Incentive grants for individual states to amend their seatbelt laws to include 15-passenger vans (as of 12/1/08 at least 26 states excluded 15-passenger vans from their current restraint laws).

3.      Incentive grants for individual states to amend their seatbelt laws to be primary laws and to cover all occupants in all seating positions.

            Apparently, the Obama administration requested that the current bill be extended

            through March 2011. We will continue to petition for the requested inclusions in the

            new bill.

May               

            NHTSA issued a Traffic Safety Facts Research Note on "Fatalities to Occupants             of 15-passenger Vans, 2003-2007 (DOT HS 811 143).

May 20          

            NHTSA issued a Consumer Advisory restating rollover warning for 15-passenger             van users.

June               

            A "Letter to the Editor" was published in the Knoxville, TN News Sentinel urging             all owners and operators of 15-passenger vans to be aware of the dangers of these

            vans and imploring them to read and follow the safety guidelines listed on our

            website.

July 27                       

            Participated in a peaceful demonstration in Detroit in front of Chrysler headquarters.

            The protest was in response to Chrysler being absolved of any product liability prior

            to their bankruptcy and bailout in 2009.    

August                       

            Expanded and Updated the 15-passenger van "Fact Sheet" to include 2007 accident

            and fatality data. Posted same on our website (www.acfvats.org).

August                       

            A "Letter to the Editor" was published in the Florida Treasure Coast Newspaper

            urging all owners and operators of 15-passenger vans to be aware of the dangers of

            these vans and imploring them to read and follow the safety guidelines listed on our

            website.