What Year Did It Become Illegal to Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck?

It is no longer legal in most states to ride in the back of a pickup truck, but this has not always been the case. Prior to the 1990s, it was commonplace to see passengers riding in the open beds of pickup trucks. As recently as 2004, some states allowed passengers to ride in the back of a truck, provided that certain safety measures were taken.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first started advocating for a ban on riding in open bed trucks as early as 1983. This was due to an increase in deaths and injuries related to riding in the back of a pickup truck. The NHTSA noted at the time that there were over 600 fatalities each year attributed to occupants riding outside of a vehicle structure.

As awareness of this issue increased, more and more states began passing laws banning riding in open bed trucks. By 1991, seven states had enacted laws prohibiting passengers from riding outside of an enclosed cab.

By 2003, this number had grown to 38 states. The remaining 12 states eventually followed suit by 2014.

What Year Did It Become Illegal To Ride In The Back Of A Pickup Truck?

It became illegal to ride in the back of a pickup truck by 2014 when all 50 states had passed laws prohibiting it. Prior to this time, it was common practice for people to ride outside of an enclosed cab. As awareness grew of the dangers associated with riding outside of a vehicle structure, more and more states began passing laws banning it.

Conclusion

It became illegal for passengers to ride outside an enclosed cab in 2014 when all 50 U.S. states passed such laws. This followed years of advocacy from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which noted an increase in deaths and injuries related to riding outside a vehicle structure prior to this time.

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Susan Delgado