If you've ever seen someone riding in the bed of a truck and wondered if it was legal, you're not the first.
According to the Mesa Police Department it's a pretty common question that most Arizonans have wondered because there is no state law restricting such act.
While a little more than half of the states have laws restricting riding in truck beds, Arizona has no such law, but that doesn't mean you can't get in trouble for it.
So before you decide to hop in that truck bed and hit the road, here's what to know about Arizona's traffic laws regarding riding in the bed of a truck and the consequences of doing so.
Is it illegal to ride in the bed of a truck in Arizona?
No, There are no traffic laws that prohibit riding in the bed of a truck, but the Mesa Police Department warned that this doesn't mean it's
not dangerous.
Arizona does have laws that require children under the age of 5 to be in a child restraint system. The law also requires children between age 5 and 8 who are under 4 feet 9 inches tall to use appropriate child restraint systems, such as booster seats.
Drivers in Arizona are also responsible for ensuring passengers under the age of 16 are buckled up as well.
However, when you get into the bed of the truck, you are no longer considered a passenger and are instead legally considered "cargo." Thus, it's not illegal to ride in the bed of a truck, but it could come with consequences, Mesa police said.
Riding in truck bed is not illegal but dangerous
Although it is not illegal to ride in the bed of a truck, it can be dangerous, especially for children.
If something were to happen to a child riding in the back of a truck, even by accident, it could warrant charges like child endangerment, aggravated assault or manslaughter for the driver.
"Adults that ride in the bed of a truck know the inherent risks that come with this and are responsible for their own actions. Children are not of that age, or are responsible enough, to make that decision for themselves," the statement said.
Even for a short ride down the street, it's not worth the gamble, according to the Mesa Police Department.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is it illegal to ride in the bed of a truck? What Arizona law says
