When Did It Become Illegal to Ride in the Bed of a Truck?

The legalities of riding in the bed of a truck vary from state to state. Generally, it is illegal for passengers to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck. Even if there are no laws against it, riding in the bed of a pickup truck is not a safe practice and should be avoided.

Riding in the bed of a pickup truck has been illegal since at least the mid-1960s. The first law addressing this issue was passed by the state of Massachusetts in 1966, which prohibited individuals under 18 years old from riding in the open bed of a pickup truck while it was being operated on a public highway. Since then, other states have passed similar laws or regulations which prohibit passengers from riding in the back of a pickup truck while it is being driven on public roads.

The dangers associated with riding in the bed of a pickup truck are numerous and include increased risk of injury or death due to falling out and exposure to other hazards like flying debris or hazardous substances. Other risks include being hit by another vehicle, running into objects on and off the road, and exposure to extreme weather conditions like rain, wind, and heat. Additionally, many states ban any cargo from being carried in an open bed because items can become airborne and cause injury or property damage.

In addition to potential legal penalties for violating these laws, people who ride in the bed of a pickup truck may also face civil liability for damages caused by their actions. For instance, if an individual were to fall out of an open-bed pickup truck and suffer personal injuries due to their negligence or recklessness, they could be held liable for any resulting damages.

Overall, although many people may think that they can ride safely in an open-bed pickup truck without danger or consequence, this is not always true. It is important for individuals to check their local state laws regarding riding in pick up trucks before doing so as well as consider any potential liability issues that may arise if they choose to do so anyway.

Conclusion: When Did It Become Illegal To Ride In The Bed Of A Truck? Riding in an open-bed pickup truck has been illegal since at least 1966 when Massachusetts passed its first law prohibiting individuals under 18 years old from doing so while driving on public roads. Since then other states have adopted similar laws prohibiting passengers from riding in the back of pick up trucks while they are being driven on public roads as well as potential civil liabilities for damages caused by their actions.

Photo of author

Susan Delgado