[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DANGEROUS 15-PASSENGER VANS

  (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw Members' 
attention to the dangers of 15passenger vans. These vans have been 
associated with more than 500 traffic fatalities since 1990. In 2001, 
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that when 
these vans are fully loaded they have a rollover risk that is six times 
higher than when there are only five people in the van. I have become 
alarmingly aware of the danger of these vans when a church group from 
my district rolled over 2\1/2\ times while driving to a religious 
retreat. Four passengers died in this tragic accident. Only later did I 
find out that these vans are infamous for getting out of the control of 
the driver and rolling over.
  My colleagues can see firsthand what can happen when these vehicles 
lose control. This happened again last year when a van carrying 
firefighters who were on their way to fight a wildfire raging in 
Colorado lost control and rolled over more than four times, killing 
four of the firefighters.
  These vans were initially designed to carry freight, not people, but 
now they are widely used by airports, hotels, and other organizations 
to transport customers and schoolchildren. I have introduced H.R. 1641, 
the Passenger Van Safety Act, along with Senator Snowe, to make sure 
that these needless tragedies end and that the most precious cargo, our 
children, get home safe and sound.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me and Senator Snowe in 
cosponsoring this important safety bill.

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