Safety of 15-passenger vans

The safety of the 15-passenger vans has been debated since the fatal accident in Bathurst and although many say they shouldn’t be on the road, some disagree.
The manager of Discount Van Rentals in Charlottetown, Geoff Thomas, said he doesn’t agree with the van ban because the vans they rent out are safe.
Thomas is also a coach. The vans are the cheapest and best way to transport students for sports and other activities, he said.
“As long as people follow the right guidelines, it’s safe.”
The vans are updated every year and drivers must have a class 4 licence to drive them, he said.
Still, Discount has been losing business since the vans were banned after seven high school basketball players died last month in New Brunswick. Most of the renters of vans here are high schools. It has been a big loss because there have been vans rented out three to four days a week, and multiple vans at a time, Thomas said.
“It’s definitely an impact.”
The athletic director of Morell Regional High School, Randy Cheverie, said the school district ordered a two-week ban on the 15-passenger vans after the accident and they are still reviewing what will happen next.
“It looks like it will be a while before they’re in use.”
Meanwhile, Morell has been using two seven-passenger vans instead.
Using two small mini vans instead of the one 15-passenger is actually less safe, Cheverie said.
“In my mind the only difference is there’s two drivers on the road instead of one, so you’re increasing your risk, not decreasing.”
And they are more expensive because they must provide gas for two vehicles, instead of just one, he said.
The 15-passenger vans Morell uses is replaced every year, Cheverie said, so they are always up to date and safe. There has never been a problem with them before.
The manager of student services and athletics of Holland College, Albert Roche, said they are allowed to use vans now, but the review is still being done. There are different factors, such as weather and time, which will help them decide what to do.
A major factor would be the comfort level of the driver, who is usually the coach. And they can stay overnight if the weather is too bad to drive, he said.
“Above and beyond, it’s safety first.”
Roche looked at the policies at other ACAA schools. There have been a variety of issues, such as weather and the driving distance. Van use will be talked about at the annual general meeting.
Since the Bathurst accident, they have looked at the policy and made sure using vans are still safe, Roche said. Holland College has been using buses ever since to be safe on the winter roads, and for the comfort of the athletes and coaches.
“We want to be able to provide sporting opportunities for as many people as possible, and wouldn’t want traveling to determine the way of playing or safety of the team.”