Can you ride in the back of a pickup truck? It depends. What to know about Florida law

What have you seen on South Florida roads lately?

We have seen cars rocketing by us at 90 miles an hour. Drivers passing us by taking to the sidewalk. Frozen iguanas falling on the windshield (remember when it was cold in searing Miami?).

And also, passengers riding in the beds of pickup trucks.

Though it’s not uncommon to see pickup trucks with a couple of extra riders in the back, is it legal?

What if the passenger is a minor? Or a pet?

READ ORE: Can you text behind the wheel in Florida? What the law allows may surprise you

Here’s what to know about the pickup truck riding rules in Florida:

Can adults ride in pickup truck beds?

The short answer is yes, but it’s a little more complicated. According to Florida law, adults 18 and older can ride in the bed of a pickup truck without a seat belt as long as they are sitting flat on the bed, and not elevated on any surface like a cooler or cardboard box.

Can minors ride in pickup truck beds?

It depends. Passengers 17 and younger can ride in the back of a pickup as long as the bed has been outfitted to include secure seating and seat belts.

There are a few exceptions to that allow minors to ride in a normal pickup bed without restrictions:

• In a parade.

• In a county that has exempted itself from this restriction by majority vote.

• If there is a medical emergency and the minor is accompanied by an adult.

Drivers can be fined $30 for allowing a passenger to ride in the bed of a pickup unlawfully. The fine doubles if the passenger is allowed to ride on the hood, fender, or in the trunk.

What about pets?

There are no statewide restrictions for passenger pets. Some counties, including Okaloosa, have passed their own laws that prohibit unrestrained animals from riding in unenclosed vehicles. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that pets be secured in a carrier when they’re in the truck bed.

Is it safe to ride in a pickup bed?

And just because adults can legally ride in pickup beds doesn’t mean that it’s safe. Passengers in truck beds are at risk of falling out of the bed when the vehicle hits a bump or swerves to avoid an obstruction in the road. If the pickup is rear ended, those in the truck bed can even be catapulted over the pickup cabin. Animals are at risk too — according to the Humane Society, 100,000 dogs die each year from riding in truck beds.

If you do ride in a truck bed this summer, remember to sit flat on the bottom of the bed and keep the risks in mind.