RALEIGH (AP) ó A House judiciary committee approved a plan to further restrict riding in open pickup truck beds.
House Bill 2340 prohibits anyone under age 16 from riding in the flatbed of a pickup truck. Current law allows children as young as 12 to ride in the area without a seat belt.
The bill also would remove a loophole that allows passengers of any age to ride in the cargo areas if theyíre being driven in a rural area.
The plan was amended to give drivers one insurance point for the infraction instead of two points on their license. The change would raise insurance costs for the driver.
The bill needs the approval of the Senate before it can be sent to Gov. Mike Easley for his signature.