Pickup box riders get a pass under seat-belt rule

Last December, the Ontario government toughened seatbelt laws, making it mandatory for everyone in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt.

In its announcement, the province listed a number of exemptions, including people with medical certificates, but it failed to mention pickup trucks. It turns out that it is still legal to carry passengers in the box of a pickup.

“The new law does not apply to passengers in the back of pickup trucks,” Bob Nichols, senior media liaison officer for the Ministry of Transport said in reply to Better Farming’s email query. “We will consult with municipalities and the agricultural and construction sectors before making any proposals to restrict travelling in the back of a pick up truck.”

Bradford area vegetable grower and cash cropper Don Chapman is surprised that moving people in a truck was ever legal, especially in today’s litigious environment. “It’s not a very wise move,” he says, citing the liabilities involved and also his “mixed thoughts” about the practice.

“I have seen enough bad accident scenes in my life that I don’t need to be part of the reason for causing one,” says the former volunteer fire fighter. “You can imagine if a pickup truck with people in the back is broadsided or hit head-on.” BF