The Alberta government plans to ban passengers from riding in the back of pick-up trucks.
Ed Stelmach, minister of Alberta infrastructure, plans to introduce legislation to ban riding in the back of trucks Feb. 1.
But farmers, firefighters, construction workers and people whose livelihood involves riding in the back of trucks will be exempt from the ban.
The legislation arose after five people were killed when they were thrown from the back of pickup trucks in the last few years.
More than 800 Albertans were surveyed about traffic safety issues recently. Eighty-two percent were in favor of banning riding in a truck box.
Rod Scarlett, executive director of Wild Rose Agricultural Producers, said his group doesn’t recommend farmers ride in the back of trucks.
“We don’t recommend it – we never have – there’s the odd occasion when it’s needed,” said Scarlett.
