Colorado Law for Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
Section 42-4-201 of the Colorado Revised Statutes explains regulations for passengers riding in the back of pickup trucks in Colorado. The law is designed for the safety of the passengers as well as for the safety of the driver and others on the road, ensuring that the driver's line of vision is not blocked by any standing person.
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Specifications in the Revised Statutes
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The code (Subsection 6) explains that a person must be in a seated position in the cargo area of a vehicle that is either fully or partially enclosed on four sides. For a pickup truck, a fully enclosed cargo area is a truck bed with a topper, and a partially enclosed cargo bed is a pickup with a tailgate.
Seat Belt Law
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According to Captain Bruce Sheetz, Colorado State Patrol, passengers under the age of 16 are required to wear a seat belt at all times. The law as described in Section 42-4-236 mandates all children (age 16 and under) to employ a seat restraint device. Therefore, a person must be over the age of 16 to ride in the back of a moving vehicle without a seat belt. This applies to most pickup trucks and SUVs, except for models like the Subaru Brat, designed with seat belts in the seat bed.
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Not Covered
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There is nothing in Section 42-4-201 that defines a speed limit or where in the cargo area the person must be seated. Bruce Sheetz also explains that, since it is not clear in the law whether a webbed tailgate is considered sufficient to partially enclose a cargo area, it is up to the officer to decide in each case.
Parades, Caravans and Exhibitions
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The law, as described in Section 42-4-201, Subsection 6, does not apply to parades, caravans or exhibitions that are authorized or otherwise permitted by law.
Animals
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There is nothing in the Section 42-4-201, Subsection 6, that applies to animals riding in the back of pickup trucks. They are considered by the State Patrol to be cargo, and laws regarding securing cargo apply.
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References
- Photo Credit truck speeding down the street image by Larry Roberg from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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this is good advice since I have seen people rididng in chairs in the back of the pickup truck in Alabama without a seatbelt the first. I'm just saying..
