American Center for Van & Tire Safety
5013 Jade Pasture Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918 Tel: 865-951-3544
www.acfvats.org
2008 Year in Review - Actions and Activities
Founded our company - American Center for Van and Tire Safety
As a result of meetings with Representative John Duncan, House
Resolution #964 - "To Promote the Safe Operation of 15-Passenger Vans"
was submitted. It was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure and was passed on February 28.
Attended a National Church Conference in New Orleans. Had a
booth and distributed hundreds of informational brochures discussing
the dangers of 15-passenger vans and our safety guidelines.
As a result of meetings with Tennessee State Representative Harry
Brooks and Senator Jamie Woodson, State Senate Joint Resolution
#890 urging County Clerks of Tennessee to provide a display of
informative pamphlets on the dangers of 15-Passenger vans was
introduced. It was passed on May 7.
Attended a NAIA Conference in Louisville. Had a booth and
distributed hundreds of informational brochures discussing the
dangers of 15- passenger vans and our safety guidelines.
We issued a report titled "Preliminary Study of 15-Passenger Van
Mileage and Tire Age in Knoxville Tennessee". The report was
submitted to NHTSA for consideration in future rule making for
both 15-passenger vans and tires. The report has since been posted
on our web site.
NHTSA issued an update to their 15-Passenger Van Safety Action
Plan. It is posted on NHTSA's web site.
NHTSA issued a press release urging 15-Passenger van owners
to drive with caution. For the first time a warning about "old tires"
was included.
A newspaper article, "Lexie's legacy: Van safety" was published in
the Knoxville News Sentinel. It was picked up nationally and published
in a number of newspapers including Washington DC, Chicago,
Nashville, and Florida's Treasure Coast.
NHTSA issued a consumer advisory urging motorists to check tires
before summer trips. It included instructions on determining the age
of your tires and a recommendation to check tire and vehicle
manufacturers for specific replacement guidance.
Held a benefit Bar-B-Q in Taylors, SC to raise funds to continue
our efforts.
Testified before a House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
on improving roadway safety. The statement is posted on our web
site.
Met with senior NHTSA representatives to discuss ways to
improve 15-passenger van safety. Established a plan for NHTSA
to develop an "outreach program" for owners and operators of
15-passenger vans. It is to include direct mailings to all 15-passenger
van owners as well as attendance to a number of related conferences
and meetings.
Established our web site … www.acfvats.org.
A draft copy of the NHTSA "15-Passenger Van Outreach Plan"
was submitted to us for comment.
We issued a report titled "An Analysis of Several Recent 15-Passenger
Van Single Vehicle Rollover Accidents". The report was submitted
to NHTSA for consideration in future rule making for both 15-passenger
vans and tires. The report is posted on our web site.
East Tennessee AAA magazine Going Places issued an article in
their Jan/Feb 2009 issue titled "Rolling Hazards" explaining the
dangers of "aged" tires and how to read tire manufacturing dates.
Reference was made to our company.
