RE: Re: RE: Riding on troop seats in a deuce
In NC, it is legal to cary folks in the back of the truck... If it's not legal to transport folks in the back in your state, your insurance carrier will have a field day with you if somebody gets hurt... Notice that the law in NC pertains to children in pickups, there is nothing in the statutes (that I am aware of) that deals with hauling adults in small trucks, or in large ones... I have waved the pickup statute at folks when they have asked about my hauling folks in the back of the M35 and it has satisfied them, I follow it to the letter with folks in the M37 (since it is a pickup...). Since my insurance covers all occupants, since NC considers the people in the bed to be "occupants", and there is manufacture designed seating (troop seats) anyway, my agent says "no problem"....
Here is the NC statute for those who are intersted, I have this on my website linked from the homepage.
The Law on Transporting Children in the Back of a Pick-up Truck in North Carolina:
On January 1, 1995, a separate NC law went into effect that prohibits children less than age twelve from riding in the open bed of a pick-up truck. (NCGS ?20-135.2B) An open bed or open cargo area is a bed or cargo area without permanent overhead restraining construction. The operator of the vehicle having an open bed or open cargo is responsible for compliance with this law. The statute does, however, contain some exemptions. The provisions for proper securement of children do not apply:
1) If an adult is present in the bed or cargo area of the vehicle and is supervising the child;
2) If the child is secured or restrained by a seatbelt manufactured in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, installed to support a load strength of not less than 5,000 pounds for each belt, and of a type approved by the Commissioner;
3) If an emergency situation exists;
4) If the vehicle is being operated in a parade pursuant to a valid permit;
5) If the vehicle is being operated in an agricultural enterprise; or
6) If the vehicle is being operated in a county which has no incorporated area with a population in excess of 3,500.
Violators are issued tickets and are subject to a fine of $25.00. Violations of this law have been defined as “infractions” and do not incur court costs, driver license points or insurance surcharges.
The following 32 counties are exempt from the “pickup truck” law based on the absence of incorporated areas with populations exceeding 3,500: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Bertie, Camden, Caswell, Cherokee, Clay, Currituck, Duplin, Franklin, Gates, Graham, Green, Hyde, Jackson, Jones, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Montgomery, Northhampton, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Polk, Swain, Tyrrell, Warren, Yadkin, and Yancey.