USU van was going 95-100 mph when it rolled, UHP says

Former USU President Kermit Hall recalled Thursday the April 2001 accident in which one of the school's vans crashed in a snowstorm in Wyoming. Six students were injured.

Hall, now president of State University of New York at Albany, said there was talk afterward of changing USU's policy on van use to limit the number of occupants to 11 or so.

"Everyone was acutely aware the vans were dangerous," Hall said. "We talked about not using them."

Instead of doing away with the vans, Hall added, it was decided to overhaul the policy on their use.

"We had a much tighter policy with regard to using those vans than before the accident in Wyoming," he said. "Everyone learned from that accident."

DeVilbiss said a current review of van usage at USU will include whether to add extra tires to the rear for added stability and taking out the back seats, which he added essentially converts the vans into "very expensive" minivans.

Some of the vans in USU's motor pool have signs that say seat belts are required, but DeVilbiss said it was uncertain if the van in Monday's accident had such a sign.

Monday's USU accident has prompted several other schools to review their policies that govern use of motor pool vehicles, particularly large vans.

"The whole thing is under review," Salt Lake Community College spokesman Joy Tlou said. "We're trying to make sure our students are as safe as can possibly be — this whole thing woke everyone up."

SLCC's four 15-passenger vans already have the back seats removed, and the number of people inside at any time is not to exceed 11, Tlou said.

Officials at other schools say restrictions on their 15-passenger vans include that drivers and passengers are required to wear seat belts. Policies say special training is required for drivers, vans cannot be driven at certain times and drivers must limit their driving time.

None of the eight 12- or 15-passenger vans in the University of Utah's "daily" rental fleet predate 2000, according to Pieter Van der Have, U. assistant vice president for plant operations. Newer models are said to be more stable on the road.

"We rotate our vans out on a regular basis," Van der Have said.

Since 2001, the U. policy has been that no more than nine people, including the driver, can be in the larger vans at one time, which is the state's policy. USU policy does not dictate the number of occupants.

Southern Utah University held a training program Monday for people in their athletics department on how to drive their nine 15-passenger vans. Drivers there are expected to have four years of driving experience and to pass a "safe driver" program, according to Casey Bowns, who is in charge of SUU's motor pool.