An average of 242 persons were killed each year from 1975 through 1979 in accidents while riding in the cargo areas of pickup trucks, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHSTA) Fatal Accident Reporting Systems. In addition, an average of 167 persons suffered incapacitating injuries and 142 persons received non-incapacitating injuries each year. In 1979, the Safety Board investigated an accident involving a compact pickup truck in which the driver and three persons were riding in the cab and eight persons were in the open cargo area of the truck. The driver failed to negotiate a curve and the truck ran off the road and overturned. Seven persons in the cargo area were killed. As a result of its investigation of this accident, the Safety Board recommended that the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances (NCUTLO) establish model guidelines for prohibiting passengers from riding in open cargo areas of most vehicles. The NCUTLO had considered model guidelines on a broader scale in 1975, but because of several complications, th eproposal was rejected. The NCUTLO has not yet acted to implement the Safety Board’s recommendation because of a lack of funds. This study was made to demonstrate further need for model guidelines prohibiting passengers from riding in the cargo area of a vehicle, and to make available information about the dangers to passengers riding in the open cargo area of a vehicle. This study analyzes 1975 through 1979 FARS data, additional Safety Board accident investigations, one investigation by a State agency, and other accidents.
Samenvatting