3D Defensive Driving

Defensive Driving Traffic Safety Tips

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Occupant Restraints

Riding in Open Beds

Trucks are increasingly becoming a popular form of transportation for family travel. Space limitations often lead drivers and/or parents to allow children to ride in the cargo area which puts them at risk for serious injury or even death.

    A person commits an offense if the person operates an open-bed pickup truck or an open flatbed truck or draws an open flatbed trailer when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck or trailer. the fine is not less than $25 or more than $200.

    It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:

    • operating or towing the vehicle in a parade or in an emergency;
    • operating the vehicle to transport farmworkers from one field to another field on a farm-to-market road, ranch-to-market road, or county road outside a municipality;
    • operating the vehicle on a beach;
    • operating a vehicle that is the only vehicle owned or operated by the members of a household; or
    • operating the vehicle in a hayride permitted by the governing body of or a law enforcement agency of each county or municipality in which the hayride will occur.

    Did you know:

    • Children and teenagers account for more than half of the deaths of passengers riding in the bed of a truck.
    • Most non-collision deaths in a pickup truck bed are caused by swerving, braking or rough roads.
    • Children in covered pickup beds are exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust.

    Safety Tip: Child safety seats must NOT be used in side facing jumpseats.