Riding in the bed of a pickup truck can be fun.  The wind in your hair and the unrestraint freedom to move around can be appealing, especially if the day is pleasant or you are taking a trip to the beach or local park.  Many people who choose to ride in the cargo areas of a pickup truck don’t realize that being thrown from the truck is a serious concern and can lead to serious injury and/or death.

There is one thing that is for certain when riding in a truck: the bed of a truck is made to haul objects, not people or animals.  If cargo areas were meant to carry people, there would be restraints of some type (such as seat belts), proper seating and head covers.  Pickup truck beds do not contain these things and in many states, it is a violation for a person to ride in the back of a truck for this reason.  In state of Texas, it is illegal and can result in a fine of no less that $25 and not to exceed $200.

What would happen to a person who is riding in the bed of a pickup truck if the driver loses control and flips over or has a collision? The person(s) inevitably will be ejected, or thrown, from the truck and can be crushed by the truck or other vehicles involved in the collision, resulting in serious injury or all too likely, death.  In 1997, 161 people died while riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck (PEDIACTRICS Vol. 106 No. 4).

Even in the event of a noncrash event, according to a recent study conducted between 1987 and 1996, approximately one third of the passengers riding the cargo area of a pickup truck died.  Many of these noncrash events include situations where a person riding in the bed was siting on the frame of the truck or standing and was ejected when the driver hit a curb or other bump, even a minor pothole, in the road.  Other events in which a passenger can be ejected from the cargo space include the following:
•    sudden stops
•    sharp turns
•    swerving

Covering the cargo area with a camper shell will not provide sufficient protection against injuries.  According to the US Department of Transportation in 1997, 14% of cargo area deaths were in enclosed cargo areas.  Another hazard to enclosing the cargo area by using a camper is the person(s) riding in this area may suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in death (JAMA 1982).

It is clear that riding the in the cargo area of a pickup truck is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.  As stated pickup trucks are designed to haul objects, not people.  It is beneficial for pickup truck owners to set boundaries and not allow people to ride in the cargo areas, especially if the cargo is enclosed with a camper.