Federal probe sought into 15-passenger vans after deadly school trip

The NDP's federal transport critic is calling for a probe into the safety of 15-passenger vans following the death of seven New Brunswick teenage athletes and an elementary school teacher.

"I think what we have to do as public policy is to start to look at this particular vehicle and its impact on our society, not just with this one incident," Brian Masse told CBC News on Tuesday, calling on the government to launch an investigation. "But when you start to examine the vehicle that was used, we have to start asking whether it's appropriate for use in Canada."

Transport Canada is investigating the weekend accident and reviewing the idea of creating a new classification for 15-passenger vans that might include tougher safety standards. It may also encourage all provinces to require a higher licence classification to carry passengers in one.

The Bathurst High School boys' basketball team was returning home from a game in Moncton on Saturday when the Ford Club Wagon van fishtailed and collided with an oncoming transport truck. Eight of the 12 people aboard the van were killed.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued several advisories about the dangers of the 15-passenger vans. About 1,100 people in the U.S. were killed in single-vehicle rollovers in the vans between 1992 and 2002. Such vans were found to be three times more likely to roll over than any other vehicle.

The U.S has banned the vans for school districts, but other groups including daycares still have them in use.

In Canada, it's up to individual provinces or school boards to determine whether schools can use the vans and what, if any, special qualifications are needed for drivers.

Nova Scotia has banned the vans at all boards, while some Saskatchewan boards allow them.

In Alberta, the vans can't be used to pick up students but are allowed otherwise.

"We do allow the use of the 15-passenger van on our road for field trips or sporting events," said Martin Dupuis, a spokesman for Alberta's Transport Ministry.

Experts say part of the problem with the van is that the weight of four passengers combined with luggage behind the rear axle put the centre of gravity too far back and too high.

"It makes it very difficult to keep the van under control," said Jeffrey Wigington, a U.S. lawyer who has represented the families of victims killed in such vans. "And if it gets out of control, it makes it very difficult to regain control and drive on down the road safely."

Stability decreases, study suggests

A study by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board concluded in 2002 that the stability of the vans decreases when fully loaded.

Brian Chase, a personal injury lawyer in California, told CBC News that the vehicles pose a problem because they use stadium-style seating where passengers in the rear are sitting slightly higher than people in front of them. He said that causes the centre of gravity on the vehicle to shift.

"That causes them to be very unsteady and causes these rollovers if you have to take evasive action," he said.

Joan Claybrook, president of the U.S. consumers group Public Citizen, told CBC News she was not surprised when she heard that the van had been involved in the New Brunswick crash. She said her group has called for the vans to be recalled.

Claybrook said the vehicles need to have two rear wheels on each side that would make them more stable.

"These vehicles are very unstable," said Claybrook. "We believe…students should be transported in regular school buses, not using these highly dangerous 15-passenger vans."