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Hawaii raises truck bed-riding age to 16 as roads get faster, testing a cherished island tradition
The new law keeps farm, parade and emergency exceptions and allows older riders only when the cab is full, officials said.
Democratic Gov. Josh Green signed a new law last month raising the minimum legal age for riding in pickup truck beds from 12 to 16, with exceptions for farm use, parades, and emergencies.
Lawmaker Kila introduced the bill after modifying his initial proposal when residents "viciously fought back" against stricter bans, as many locals view truck bed riding as tied to Hawaii's multicultural plantation history.
David Kidd, vice president of vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, noted 29 states restrict truck bed riding and likened resistance to historical pushback against seat belt laws.
After witnessing a 25-year-old man ejected from a pickup truck in 2023, Green, a physician, sprang into action to render aid, reinforcing his commitment to the safety regulations.
Kila believes a total ban on truck bed riding is inevitable, predicting that "20 years later after the fact" public perception will shift toward stricter safety measures for the islands.