Tolleson Union High School District near Phoenix, Arizona uses this Chevy Traverse SUV to transport students served by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
drivers to crash worthiness and post-crash standards. “Every child should have the opportunity to ride in a
large yellow bus,” he said. Given such concerns, Gauthier pointed to potential
legal ramifications when crashes occur. “We litigate ev- erything in this country, and at some point in time there will be litigation in this area,” he predicted. “The jury will be the one deciding whether just needing the letter of the law is sufficient.” Beacon’s Saunders, among others, acknowledged the
pros and cons of utilizing vans versus traditional buses with regard to passenger safety. “However, in tighter more challenging urban environ-
ments, one could argue that vans are safer to operate,” he pointed out. “Smaller vehicles improve the driver’s ability to negotiate challenging traffic conditions as well as navigate tighter parking situations.” Too, the lower number of passengers may lead to fewer distractions inside of the vehicle for the driver and make it easier to pull over and park if a student requires immediate
34 School Transportation News • JANUARY 2024
attention, he added. Legus at Berrien Springs said he also sees both pluses and minuses from a safety viewpoint. “As we all know, school buses are the safest mode of transportation on the road,” he said. “When possible, we keep our special needs students in buses.” He pointed out that the lack of interior room in a van
compared to a school bus can pose challenges when dealing with certain types of students with special needs. On the other hand, students with combative behaviors may benefit from a quieter, calmer environment.
Minimizing the Risk All things considered, the term “calculated risk” may be the best descriptor when it comes to the use of vans in transporting students. Legus advised choosing van routes responsibly and using them as a last resort. That includes evaluating indi- vidual student needs and deciding if they would benefit from a van route.
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