The Girl Scouts of Utah have banned the use of 15-passenger vans, implying these vans are unsafe and encouraging other organizations to ban their use. Actually, these vans are just as safe as any other vehicle, but only as safe as the person driving it. These large vans provide a valuable service.
Hill AFB is served by a fleet of independently operated Rideshare Vans. We who drive these vans know and understand the safety risks inherent in operating large vans full of people.
We transport our passengers to work and back home, day and night, in all kinds of traffic, weather and road conditions, and we do it safely. Some of these vans commute more than 100 miles daily.
It certainly is tragic when a van rollover occurs, but don't blame the van when the driver is at fault.
Michael Leroy Smith
Kearns