Most of California’s traffic laws are geared towards ensuring personal safety and prevention of road accidents. However, there are some minor laws that motorists often overlook and end up on the wrong side of the law. This is either because the law is not very clear or drivers choose to observe major laws and ignore what they purport to be insignificant.
The question of whether it is legal to ride in the back of a truck bed is one that many drivers have invariably failed to wrap their heads around.
It would seem that riding in the back of a truck is quite a natural thing to do for most people. But the fact that there are state and federal laws regulating that practice means that there are some dangers associated with it.
Dangers of Riding in the Back of a Truck bed
When designing a truck bed, manufacturers usually have in mind cargo and not passengers. The basic design of a truck bed therefore not only makes it non-conducive for humans but also dangerous. In case of a crash, most truck beds do not have the necessary equipment to protect the passengers from injury.This is unlike your typical passenger vehicle which the Federal vehicle manufacturing standards require that it integrates designs that prevent passengers in the event of a crash. These standards do not necessitate the inclusion of passenger-protection mechanisms in cargo trucks for obvious reasons.
Truck beds, therefore, have no way of protecting the passengers from danger. In the event of a crash, passengers, especially children, and physically weak people may be ejected or indulge in a serious collision inside the truck even at low speeds.
California Truck Bed Riding Laws
The state of California has put in place stern laws regarding the carrying of passengers in truck beds. The following California Vehicle Codes sheds some light on these laws: • Vehicle Code 21712 (a) – Advises vehicle operators against allowing people to ride in any part of the vehicle that is not designed for use by passengers. • Vehicle Code 21712 (b) –Discourages people from riding in any part of the vehicle not intended for passenger use. • Vehicle Code 23116 (a) – Warns drivers against transporting passengers in a truck bed that does not have a federally approved passenger restraining system. • Vehicle Code 23116 (b) – Warns people against riding unrestrained on the back of a truck bed. There are minor exceptions to these laws though. If the bed of the truck is sufficiently equipped with a passenger restraining system, passengers might be allowed. However, this system must be at par with or exceed the required seat belt standards for motor vehicles. Failure to adhere to this law may result in the punishment of both the driver and the passenger.Apart from the need to provide a passenger protection system, these codes come with a few other exceptions. If, for example, the truck has an unrestrained passenger in the cargo area, but is operating on a flat farm or ranch, the offense may be pardoned. However, this pardon only applies when the truck confines its operation within the ranch or farm.Another exception is when the truck is being used to transport people in an emergency response situation. In this case, proper measures are taken to eliminate the possibility of injury, death or property destruction occurring.If the truck does not have a restraining system and does not qualify for any of the exceptions, both the driver and the passenger (s) will be punished according to the law.
Penalties for Violating the Vehicle Codes
If you are found in violation of the above vehicle codes, the following penalties shall apply: a) If you are committing the offense for the first time, you will be eligible for a fine not exceeding $100. b) If you commit the same offense again within a period of one year, you will be fined not more than $200. c) For a third or subsequent offense committed within a year from the first one, you stand to be fined not more than $250. d) The Vehicle Code 4200 (a) states that no points will be assigned in case these requirements are violated.Understanding traffic laws is paramount for any vehicle operator. For truck drivers specifically, you should be wary when it comes to transporting passengers in a truck bed that does not provide a proper restraining system. Unless it is a situation that qualifies for an exemption, carrying passengers in the cargo area of a truck is a grave violation of the Californian Vehicle codes.