§291-14  Pickup trucks; passenger
restrictions.  (a)  No person shall stand in the bed or load-carrying area
of any motor vehicle commonly known as a pickup truck while the vehicle is in
operation.  No operator of any pickup truck shall operate the vehicle with a
passenger seated in the bed or load-carrying area of the vehicle unless:



(1)  There is no seating available in the cab of the
vehicle;



(2)  The side racks of the vehicle are securely
attached and the tailboard or tailgate is securely closed;



(3)  Every passenger in the bed or load-carrying area
of the vehicle is seated on the floor and does not attempt to control unlashed
cargo.



(b)  This section shall not apply to persons or
corporations operating a business or businesses that serve the public, who or
which are subject to the jurisdiction, supervision, and regulations prescribed
by state agencies or departments nor to their agents or employees when engaged
in the business of such persons or corporations.



(c)  No operator of any pickup truck may operate
the vehicle with any passenger twelve years of age or under in the bed or
load-carrying area of the vehicle, unless one of the following applies:



(1)  An emergency exists that threatens the life of
the passenger being transported in the bed or load-carrying area of the
vehicle; or



(2)  The vehicle is being operated in parades,
caravans, or exhibitions which are officially authorized or otherwise permitted
by law.



(d)  Any person who violates this section shall
be subject to a fine of $25 for each violation; provided that any person who
violates subsection (c) shall be subject to a fine of $50 for each separate
violation.



(e)  As used in this section, "pickup
truck" means a light truck that has a cab on the front part of the vehicle
covering the driver's seat and an open bed behind the cab designed primarily to
transport property or cargo, with sides and a tailgate to retain the contents
within the confines of the bed, and has a maximum gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of 11,000 pounds or less. [L 1989, c 167, §1; am L 1990, c 122, §1; am L
1997, c 60, §6 and c 105, §1]