An 18-year-old girl was tragically killed in 2019 in a roll-over car accident while riding in the bed of a pickup truck. The truck was traveling on a dirt road between Tropical Parkway and Centennial Parkway, west of I-215. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the victim was one of six teenagers in the car when the driver of a pickup truck lost control of the car and rolled down an embankment. According to LVMPD, the driver did not show any signs of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
According to Nevada law, it is illegal for minors to ride in the back of a pickup truck; this is not the case for those who are 18 years of age or older. The Children’s Safety Network reports that approximately 50 people under 21 years of age are killed each year while riding in the back of pickup trucks. More than half of these fatalities are children and teenagers.
This tragedy, and many others, are a sober reminder that while riding on the bed of a pickup truck may not be illegal in some states, it is not the safest way to travel. While it may seem fun to ride in the back of a pickup truck—open roads, sunny skies, fresh breezes—it can be dangerous and result in serious injuries or even death, depending on the type of accident.
Nevada Law
There are 20 states or more across the United States that do not address whether passengers can ride in the bed of a pickup truck under their laws. Nevada, however, is not one of these states. Indeed, Nevada state law expressly places restrictions on riding in the back of a pickup truck. Those that are allowed to do so must be at least 18 years of age. Any passengers under 18 years are allowed to ride in the back of a pickup truck if it is being used in farming, ranching, or as part of an authorized parade. Additionally, Nevada law permits riding in the back of a pickup truck if the vehicle is being driven on an unpaved roadway or in an area that is enclosed by a camper shell.
Laws in Other States
Nevada is not the only state that allows passengers to hitch a ride in the back of a pickup truck within certain limitations.
Florida allows passengers under 18 years are permitted to ride on the bed of a pickup truck if there is secured seating including seat belts. Under Texas law, any child of any age is allowed to ride in the back of a pickup truck if that is the only vehicle the family has. North Carolina, on the other hand, permits passengers who are 16 years of age or older to ride in the bed of a truck; should the passenger be younger, he or she must be with an adult, restrained by a seat belt, or the truck must be used in farm work, an emergency, or a parade.
So, while many states across the country do not consider riding in the bed of a pickup truck as a passenger extremely dangerous, there are some restrictions under their laws.
Legal Help in Las Vegas
Whether you are visiting Nevada or living in the state, it is best to know the laws and restrictions regarding the activities you want you and your family involved in–including riding in the back of pickup trucks. If you or someone you know has been hurt in a Nevada accident due to the fault of another, contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at H&P Law today. We can help explain your rights and obligations under Nevada law.
