According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 1998 pickup truck registration in the US exceeded 36 million and represented approximately 17 percent of the total number of registered vehicles.  It is clear, by examining this data, that pickup trucks are increasingly becoming a popular choice for American drivers.  This being said, many trucks are not necessarily being used as means to haul objects, rather they are becoming modes of the transportation for individuals and families alike.  What must be examined is how safe are pickup trucks?  What are the disadvantages of owning a pickup truck for other than hauling inanimate objects?

When we think about safety issues, we must consider the structure of the pickup truck.  Because pickup trucks are made to haul objects in the cargo area, or bed, of the truck, it is inevitable that when there is nothing in the cargo space, the truck is much heavier in the front end, thus causing the vehicle to be what some consider lopsided.  What happens when there is nothing in the cargo area to evenly distribute the weight?  Because the drive wheels are in the rear of the truck, the lighter end (cargo end) must push the heavier front and this leads to fishtailing, which is a loss of control, especially on wet, slick roads.

Another important disadvantage is the matter of space for passengers.  Many of the smaller pickup trucks are equipped to comfortably seat and restrain only two or, at the most, three passengers, including the driver, at a time.  Even though these smaller pickup trucks have small seating behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats, the seating is not adequate to comfortably fit an individual.  Even more, trucks that have sideways seating is inadequate as well.  Sitting sideways in any vehicle is not recommended and can be dangerous in terms of injury to the person if the vehicle was in a collision.

Due to the lack of adequate seating in a pickup truck, the pickup truck owner may be inclined to allow people to ride in the cargo area (bed) of the truck, which is illegal in the state of Texas and is punishable by a fine.  There are a plethora of issues involved with people riding in the cargo area of a truck, as the person can be ejected, or thrown form the truck, by a simple bump or swerve and thus result in serious injury or death.  The best bet for pickup truck owners is that they do not allow any person(s) or animal(s) to ride in the cargo space.

Even though a truck can be very useful if it is being utilized what it was built for, which is to haul objects, it may not be the best choice for a person living in the city or families with children.  The uneven distribution of weight can cause fishtailing that may lead to collisions, especially in slick conditions, and the inadequate passenger space in smaller trucks are serious issues to consider when choosing a vehicle.