Yesterday's horrific crash on Kunia Road has rekindled a long-simmering debate over whether passengers should be allowed in the open beds of pickup trucks. Thanks to my "devil's advocate" nature, I find myself able to energetically argue both in favor and against such a ban, depending on my mood.
Why not impose such a ban? Well, current laws already prevent passengers ages 12 and under from riding in truck beds (where they might not otherwise have a choice, or informed consent), and if adults choose to accept the risks, more power to them -- an argument similar to those against motorcycle helmet laws. Also, yes, in rural areas, households might have only a pickup truck for practical reasons, but still need to carry more than three or so people at a time.
Why impose such a ban? Well, it's dangerous, for one. Two, it's not entirely true that the only people affected are the people deciding to ride in truck beds... since presumably higher injury and death rates correlate to greater health care costs for everyone (as with, again, motorcycle helmet laws). Finally, while there are no doubt farmers and rural families whose pickup trucks are both vital to their livelihood and also the only way to transport people... IMHO, pickup trucks (particularly obnoxiously huge pickup trucks) are just as likely to be a lifestyle choice at the "luxury" end of the transportation continuum these days.
In other words, it seems quite likely to me that a family might have the means to buy a giant, flashy Ford pickup truck or a practical and safe family van, but opt for the truck for cosmetic reasons... and just throwing tutu and the surpluss kids in the bed in back for those trips involving more people than fit in the (admittedly also larger than average) passenger cab.
I'm undecided, honestly. The libertarian in me wants to say, "Hey, it's your life, buddy."
But the massive popularity of needlessly big burly trucks irks me like flashy SUVs do. Trucks that are kept shiny and chrome-enhanced (or, even more ridiculously, lowed to the point where they can't clear a speed bump) and will obviously never be used for what a truck is designed for.
If it's your show-off second car, or if you don't have a big family, actually, hey... knock yourself out. But I know a family with five kids and two pick-up trucks -- one lowered tricked-out Nissan and a Dodge so big it doesn't fit in the garage. Neither has ever carried anything larger than a milk crate. What's the point of that?
Er, don't mind me. I'm just the petty, whiny, emasculated owner of two minivans.
Let's make this a poll. Should passengers be banned from truck beds or not?
Why not impose such a ban? Well, current laws already prevent passengers ages 12 and under from riding in truck beds (where they might not otherwise have a choice, or informed consent), and if adults choose to accept the risks, more power to them -- an argument similar to those against motorcycle helmet laws. Also, yes, in rural areas, households might have only a pickup truck for practical reasons, but still need to carry more than three or so people at a time.
Why impose such a ban? Well, it's dangerous, for one. Two, it's not entirely true that the only people affected are the people deciding to ride in truck beds... since presumably higher injury and death rates correlate to greater health care costs for everyone (as with, again, motorcycle helmet laws). Finally, while there are no doubt farmers and rural families whose pickup trucks are both vital to their livelihood and also the only way to transport people... IMHO, pickup trucks (particularly obnoxiously huge pickup trucks) are just as likely to be a lifestyle choice at the "luxury" end of the transportation continuum these days.
In other words, it seems quite likely to me that a family might have the means to buy a giant, flashy Ford pickup truck or a practical and safe family van, but opt for the truck for cosmetic reasons... and just throwing tutu and the surpluss kids in the bed in back for those trips involving more people than fit in the (admittedly also larger than average) passenger cab.
I'm undecided, honestly. The libertarian in me wants to say, "Hey, it's your life, buddy."
But the massive popularity of needlessly big burly trucks irks me like flashy SUVs do. Trucks that are kept shiny and chrome-enhanced (or, even more ridiculously, lowed to the point where they can't clear a speed bump) and will obviously never be used for what a truck is designed for.
If it's your show-off second car, or if you don't have a big family, actually, hey... knock yourself out. But I know a family with five kids and two pick-up trucks -- one lowered tricked-out Nissan and a Dodge so big it doesn't fit in the garage. Neither has ever carried anything larger than a milk crate. What's the point of that?
Er, don't mind me. I'm just the petty, whiny, emasculated owner of two minivans.
Let's make this a poll. Should passengers be banned from truck beds or not?
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