Riding On Truck Beds: A Legal Bad Idea?

In a stretch of months there have been two major accidents where children were hurt riding on a truck bed. Colorado law has plenty to say about children riding on the back of a truck, but stays silent when it comes to adults doing the same thing.

It is legal for people 16 and older to ride on a truck bed, according to Colorado State Sentator John Morse (D). During an interview with KRDO NewsChannel 13, Morse said it is a bad idea for adults to ride on a truck bed, but he does not think that a law prohibiting the action would pass. Morse indicated that many things are dangers and not all of them are illegal.

Some people in the Colorado Spring community said that they grew up riding in the back of pick-up truck, and that it is an acceptable thing to do if you are safe.

“I’m from Montana and it is just something we do. We grew up riding in the back of the pick-up. If we had to go into town right quick,” said Kortney Douman.

One man said that he would never let his children, even when legally able, ride on the truck bed. He flew out of a pick-up truck when he was younger.

“Well (I) was just young. You don’t really look at the consequences and the driver was driving kind of fast, so on one of the curbs I just flew,” said Hector Contreras.

Even though Senator Morse said he believes a proposal making the riding on a truck bed illegal for everyone would be unsuccessful, he said it really bothers him to see anyone do that.

“I spent years as a paramedic and years as a police officer. I have treated these folks and I have been to these accident scenes , and they are horrific. So, every time I see someone ride in the back of a pick-up truck, I am horrified at their stupidity,” said Morse.