If you have a pickup or know someone who does, you may wonder, is it legal to ride in a truck bed in Texas? Texas pickup truck bed laws were created to keep everyone safe on the road. If you own one of these trucks, you will want to fully understand pickup truck passenger laws in Texas to avoid breaking the law as well as causing serious injury.
Angel Reyes & Associates is a personal injury law firm committed to providing 5-star service for victims of car accidents in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. In this blog post, we discuss the laws and the dangers of riding in a pickup truck bed.
Texas Law Regarding Riding in the Bed of a Pickup Truck
In Texas, it’s illegal to ride in the bed of a pickup truck. It prohibits unrestrained passengers from riding in the bed of a pickup truck or on an open flatbed truck except in specific circumstances.
Passengers may legally ride in the bed of a pickup truck in emergencies or parades. It also allows for transporting farmworkers on a farm-to-market road, ranch-to-market road, or county road outside a municipality. Additionally, passengers may ride in the truck bed if the vehicle is on a beach, if it’s the only vehicle owned or used by members of a household, or if the vehicle is being used in a hayride permitted by local authorities or a governing body.
Dangers of Riding in an Open-Bed Pickup Truck
Riding in the bed of a truck poses significant dangers as there are no seat belts, making the risk of severe injuries or fatalities high in a car accident. Passengers in the bed of a truck are much more vulnerable since there’s nothing to restrain them in the open truck bed. This could lead to them being flung from the vehicle when the driver makes a sudden stop or if there’s an accident.
The open bed of a pickup truck is no place for passengers. With the exception of an emergency, rural areas, and a few other permitted reasons, Texas law prohibits passengers from riding in the bed of a truck.
Safety Precautions for Riding in the Bed of a Pickup Truck
Even if you meet the exception to ride in an open flatbed trailer as per state law, you should take extra precautions. Extra safety features through federally approved restraint systems can be added to help secure passengers.
Additionally, passengers should not stand or sit on the edges of the truck bed. When people are in the cargo area of this type of vehicle, it should only be operated at low speeds and the driver should avoid making sharp turns to prevent passengers from being thrown from the vehicle.
Penalties for Violating the Law
Those who violate the law regarding riding in the bed of a truck in Texas will likely be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by penalties that include fines and possible jail time. Points might be added to your driver’s license as well if you allow passengers to ride in the bed.
Who’s Most at Risk of Riding in the Bed of a Pickup Truck?
It’s illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to ride in the bed of a truck. Passengers riding in this area tend to most frequently be young men as they’re more prone to experimenting with adventure, danger, and freedom.
However, it should be noted that because there are no seat belts, anyone of any age should not be riding in the back of a truck. Following state law will prevent issues with criminal charges as well as catastrophic injuries.
Driver Responsibility
It’s the driver’s duty to ensure that all motor vehicle passengers are safe, and when that driver operates a pickup, they should not allow anyone to ride in the bed of a truck except for the few situations where it’s legal to ride there.
Since the bed of a truck lacks the safety features found in the truck’s cabin such as restraints and airbags, a day of fun can turn into one of tragedy when these laws aren’t obeyed.
Drivers have a responsibility to ensure passenger safety, including those riding in the truck bed, and they must comply with Texas regulations by taking the necessary precautions to prevent accidents and injuries. Law enforcement agencies can hold drivers responsible for violating these rules and putting their passengers of any age at risk.
Common Injuries from Riding in the Bed of a Pickup Truck
Car accident victims who ride in the bed of a pickup truck can suffer a range of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, and fatalities.
The lack of safety restraints and protection in the bed of a truck makes it much more likely for a passenger to be thrown from the vehicle at a sudden stop or when it hits another vehicle. Sadly, car accidents involving passengers in the bed of a pickup truck can result in catastrophic consequences, leaving families grieving an immeasurable loss in the aftermath.
Reporting Incidents
If you’re driving and witness someone riding in the bed of a pickup truck in Texas, report the incident to the authorities.
Don’t worry about spoiling another person’s fun. You will potentially be saving that person’s life, preventing them from injuries that may cause them permanent effects, or even death. Ensuring compliance with these safety regulations is important for everyone. From the driver of the pickup to the passengers and to all others who share the roads, if something were to happen, you’d never forgive yourself for not speaking up.
Call Angel Reyes & Associates Today
Riding in the bed of a pickup truck in Texas is a serious safety concern and a danger to all. It’s essential to understand the laws and risks associated with this practice. By complying with Texas law, drivers and passengers can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
Prioritize passenger safety by not allowing anyone under 18 years of age or at any age to ride in the bed. If you need a ride and the driver only has a pickup with no room up in the cabin, arrange for alternative transportation.
If you or someone you love is injured in an accident involving a pickup and someone was riding in the bed, the most important thing to do is get immediate medical care. After that, it’s best to discuss these circumstances with an attorney who can provide you with your legal options.
A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your financial losses after an accident, investigate and gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement. Make sure that you schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at Angel Reyes & Associates to learn more about what you can do and to protect your legal rights after an accident with this type of truck.
