Fall brings hayrides and homecoming parades, which often involve pickup trucks. But, is it legal in Michigan to ride in truck beds?
The Michigan law from 2001 only addresses minors.
MCL 257.682b states: “Except as provided in this section, an operator shall not permit a person less than 18 years of age to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck on a highway, road, or street in a city, village or township at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.”
Violation of this law leads to civil infractions.
What are the exceptions for minors?
According to the 2001 law, minors may ride in truck beds under these circumstances:
What about adults?
While some may question the safety of riding in the bed of a truck on Michigan roads, there is no state law that prohibits adult passengers from riding in the bed of a truck.
The state’s seatbelt law only applies to adult front seat passengers and children.
“Adults are generally permitted to ride in a truck bed on public roads if the vehicle’s speed does not exceed 15 mph. However, this regulation does not apply to private property. It is important to note that this practice is inherently dangerous due to the lack of safety features in truck beds,” said Lt. Brian Quinn from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. “Pickup trucks are not designed for people riding in the bed due to safety features, such as the lack of seats, seatbelts and airbags. The risk of injury is increased. Without safety features, anyone riding in the bed of a pickup truck are at a higher rate of injury or death in the event of a crash, especially involving a rollover.”
Why was the law passed in 2001?
According to Monroe News archives, MCL 257.682b was one of 60 new Michigan laws that went into effect in March of 2001.
But, a truck bed law had been under consideration for years because of the high number of fatal and serious incidents involving truck bed passengers, according to analysis posted by The Michigan Legislature Website.
The analysis said: “While legislation to restrict passenger use of truck cargo areas has been introduced in the Michigan legislature since 1987, it has yet to be enacted. In 1991, legislation prohibiting people from riding in the beds of pickup trucks was passed by both the House and Senate, but died when the term ended before the Senate adopted the conference committee’s report. During the 1997-98 legislative session, a bill passed the House, but died in the Senate. The renewed call for legislation to restrict riding in the backs of pickups comes as a result of accidents in Genesee, Wayne and Jackson counties. The accident in Concord Township of Jackson County killed 11 people, eight of whom were children who had been riding in the enclosed bed of a pickup truck when it was struck by an oncoming dump truck after the driver ignored a stop sign. During 1994-96, 558 people were killed while riding in the beds of pickup trucks nationwide, and 19 of those fatalities occurred in Michigan.”
Get answers to your other Michigan driving questions
Visit the state of Michigan’s Traffic Laws FAQs page. The searchable page covers a number of laws, such as private driveways, mopeds and golf carts.
In addition to state laws, local municipalities also may enact local laws on driving issues.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Is it legal in Michigan to ride in a truck bed? See what state law says
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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