Can children ride in the beds of pickup trucks in NC? Here’s what state law says
In North Carolina, it’s common to see groups of teenagers piled in the backs of pickup trucks during the warmer months.
But is it legal?
Riding in the bed of a pickup truck is legal in all states, but some states, including North Carolina, have age restrictions on who is allowed to do so.
The practice can also be dangerous, especially if the vehicle is involved in a wreck.
Here’s what North Carolina says on riding in truck beds, and some of the risks associated with it.
Can children ride in the back of pickup trucks in NC?
According to North Carolina law, children under the age of 16 cannot be transported in the bed or cargo area of a vehicle “without permanent overhead restraining construction.”
“Permanent overhead restraining construction” is not defined in the law, but it is generally understood to mean a structure welded or bolted to a vehicle, according to BuckleUpNC, an online resource for automobile safety laws.
There are a few exceptions that allow children younger than 16 to ride in truck beds:
If an adult is present in the cargo area and supervising the child.
If the child is secured or restrained by a seatbelt.
If there is an emergency situation.
If the vehicle is being operated in a parade.
If the vehicle is being used for agricultural purposes.
Drivers are responsible for anyone who rides in the cargo area of their trucks, and they can face fines of up to $25 for each child under the age of 16 from law enforcement.
Is there a limit on how many people can ride in truck beds?
There is no limit on how many people can ride in the bed of a truck in North Carolina.
However, state law prohibits drivers from operating vehicles that are crowded with passengers to the point where it obstructs their view of the road.
Is it safe to ride in the bed of a pickup truck?
Compared to the cab, the beds of pickup trucks provide little protection in the event of an accident.
A 2018 clip posted to the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program Facebook page shows crash test dummies being ejected out of the bed of a truck that is sitting still when rammed from behind by a vehicle traveling 56 mph. One of the bodies is thrown so high that it leaves the video frame.
The Kitty Hawk Police Department reposted a zoomed-in, slow-motion version of the crash video that was viewed more than 300,000 times in three days.
“We highly recommend that the safest place for people to travel is in the cab of any vehicle and in the appropriate restraint based on age and weight,” the department wrote in another post.
Riding in the bed of a pickup truck can present other safety hazards, according to MotorBiscuit, an online resource for automobile information.
Most pickups don’t have seatbelts in their cargo areas. Passengers can also suffer hearing damage from wind noises and respiratory issues from exhaust fumes.
