Child Safety in Pickup Trucks

Pickups may not be as safe for kids as other vehicles.

Pickups are popular vehicles in this country, and yet they are designed primarily for transporting cargo rather than passengers. The limited seating may motivate families to make dangerous decisions regarding passengers, especially children. Pickup owners should be aware of the risks associated with transporting children in pickup trucks so they can create as safe an environment as possible.

Riding in the Pickup Bed

The Boston Children's Hospital reports that studies show people riding in the open cargo area of a pickup are 10 times more likely to be killed during a collision than passengers riding inside a car. Since passengers are not restrained, they are often thrown from the vehicle onto the pavement even if others in the truck are unharmed. Since they are not protected by the steel cage that frames cars and the cabs of trucks, they are not protected in the event of a rollover or from flying debris. It doesn't take a crash to cause injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports one third of deaths caused when riding in pickup beds were the result of non-crash events.

Camper Shells

Children riding in the bed of a pickup are not much better protected if the car has a camper shell. They are still unrestrained and can suffer serious injury in a collision. The camper shell does not provide the same level of protection as the vehicle frame does. In addition, the enclosed space can cause a buildup of exhaust fumes, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Riding in the Cab

Any pickup passenger is better protected when riding in the cab of the truck than when riding in the bed, but there are other dangers. Children are at higher risk of injury or death when riding in the front seat, both from the direct trauma from a collision and from the dangers of air bags. Although air bags save adult lives, they can injure or kill children.

Extended Cabs

Larger pickups with extended cabs to give more passenger room are the safest option. Children can ride in the back seat where it is safer. However, be aware that not all extended cabs are able to take all child safety seats and not all extended cabs offer shoulder belts in the rear seats.

Recommendations

Although research paints a grim picture of pickup trucks for child passengers, the vehicles can still be safe for kids if parents follow the same recommendations as for cars. Children, or other passengers for that matter, should never be allowed to ride in the cargo area even for short trips. All passengers should use age-appropriate safety restraints, and babies should not be transported except in rear-facing child seats installed in the back seat of an extended cab.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Children in Pickup Trucks
• Children's Hospital Boston: Motor Vehicle Safety