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“Whether to drive children to daycare, older people to senior citizen events, athletic teams to sporting events, employees in work carpools, congregants to and from their house of worship, or teenagers to youth programs,” the vans are in high demand. But, the federal agency said, the cumbersome, 15-passenger vans in the hands of inexperienced drivers “can prove challenging to maneuver safely — given their high center of gravity and propensity to rollover as a result of quick maneuvering.”
Always use a trained, experienced driver who is not a student and who regularly drives these types of vehicles. Although the driver of a 15 or 12 passenger van is not required to have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), such driver should understand and be familiar with the handling characteristics of a fully loaded van. The driver should be well rested and attentive and not under the influence of drugs. A motor vehicle record (MVR) should be run on all drivers to make sure that they have no more than two minor violations in the prior three years and no major offenses in the prior five years such as a DUI or reckless driving offense.
Anyone can crash, but we don't send our kids off with a drunk driver. Anyone can crash, but we don't send our kids with a driver who has been awake for 20 hours straight. Anything can crash, but we choose safer vehicles and experienced drivers rather than unsafe vehicles and drivers who are not experienced when we have the option. Especially when our children are concerned.
Anyone can crash, but we don't send our kids off with a drunk driver. Anyone can crash, but we don't send our kids with a driver who has been awake for 20 hours straight. Anything can crash, but we choose safer vehicles and experienced drivers rather than unsafe vehicles and drivers who are not experienced when we have the option. Especially when our children are concerned.
Holy ****, you're overreacting. Making quite the leap aren't we? Nobody is talking about putting their children in with drunk drivers or sleep deprived drivers. Besides, the price tag for this trip seems more ridiculous than anything, as does the lodging situation. It sounds like a cluster.
Between 6th and 7th grade, my son went to Australia with a People to People group. I cried at the airport, but I never once considered keeping him from the opportunity to get a great experience.
If OPs son wants to go, he should be able to, without her spoiling it with needless worry.
Holy ****, you're overreacting. Making quite the leap aren't we? Nobody is talking about putting their children in with drunk drivers or sleep deprived drivers. Besides, the price tag for this trip seems more ridiculous than anything, as does the lodging situation. It sounds like a cluster.
No she is not overreacting. These vans are unsafe. Yes, the price seems high for what it is, and the lodging. There will be other trips.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gentlearts
Between 6th and 7th grade, my son went to Australia with a People to People group. I cried at the airport, but I never once considered keeping him from the opportunity to get a great experience.
If OPs son wants to go, he should be able to, without her spoiling it with needless worry.
Well, good for you, not depriving your son. You might feel different if he didn't come back. I daresay his trip was safer than the one the OP is considering.
I would absolutely let my child go. My kids have been on cross country trips, 10 hours is not unusual. They've also gone to science camp for a week at that age, and this was without cell phones to call mommy.
I don't understand the concern about inexperienced drivers, how does the OP know what people can drive? We have rented the 15 passenger vans for family trips, they are very easy to drive.
As for the money, I wouldn't have signed my child up for a club without knowing what the expenses might be. I do feel bad for the child, if she doesn't let him go. He will feel humiliated. I remember when my mom wouldn't let me go to slumber parties, etc as a child.
My son’s robotics team wants to compete in a competition next month. I am the only parent on the team who has any concerns, of which I have several.
1. He will miss 3 days of school to attend (this is not a school club)
2 The trip is 10 hours, not including stops for potty, gas, food in a rented van
3. The kids will return from the trip around 1am Sunday night in a van with inexperienced large vehicle drivers
4. Cost 700
5. My son would be staying with families I don’t know all that well
I really don’t want him to go per the above reasons however people feel I’m being over protective. I could go as well but I don’t have a ton of vacation time and would have to get a hotel for 3 nights or fly but then that’s an additional 500 , I’m a single parent so funds are a bit tight. I’m a little surprised all of the other parents have been 100% onboard. Am I being too protective and unreasonable? My son is going to be pretty upset if I don’t let him go.
No she is not overreacting. These vans are unsafe. Yes, the price seems high for what it is, and the lodging. There will be other trips.
Well, good for you, not depriving your son. You might feel different if he didn't come back. I daresay his trip was safer than the one the OP is considering.
15 passenger vans are simply not, "unsafe". I have a fair amount of driving time in various models the rules are simple good tires, proper tire pressure, place no weight on the roof, place as much weight (people and stuff) over and in front of the rear axle as possible, distribute weight properly side to side.
OP trust your gut. Something is telling you to not do this.
I would not let my 6th grader go without me or my husband with. Just too many chances and red flags. Lots of people let their kids go and lots of kids get into trouble. Lots of parents stick their heads in the sand and hope for the best. It’s usually years later that the parents hear what really happens on trips.
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