A Dangerous Trend Among Teen Drivers

TRUNKING: A Dangerous Trend Among Teen Drivers By CPO Jill Davidson If you are a parent of a teen driver, I’m sure you are already concerned about his/her inexperience being a major ASAFTEY ISSUE. However, there is a new driving danger for parents to worry about. It’s called Trunking. Trunking is when a person or persons ride in the trunk of a moving vehicle. Yes, you read that correctly. They pile in the trunk, shut it, and ride to their destination, unsecured in the back of the vehicle. Many teens are turning to Trunking as a means of getting around the provisional driver’s license restrictions, some believe it is simply joyriding, and others see it as the only way home in a crowded car. Regardless of why they are doing it, teens in this state are dying doing it. Not only is Trunking illegal—it’s incredibly dangerous! There are many hazards that are associated with this reckless behavior, but the main danger is the vehicle being involved in a collision with the so-called passengers in the trunk. Trunks don’t come with air bags or seat belts. If they are involved in a collision while riding in the trunk, there is a higher probability that they will be thrown from the vehicle, incur grave bodily harm, become trapped in the vehicle or even be killed. The California Highway Patrol reports that since 2000, there have been over 150 collisions, including nine fatalities, where someone was riding in the trunk. Parents, please take the time to talk to your teen and young adult drivers about the dangers associated with allowing passengers to ride in the trunk of their vehicle as well as climbing into the trunk of someone else’s vehicle. Additionally, if you do see someone getting into the trunk of a vehicle, get the license plate, make and model of the vehicle, as well as the direction of travel and immediately call law enforcement; you may save someone’s life. CPO Jill Davidson is a Crime Prevention Officer with Laguna Niguel Police Services. This article was reprinted with permission from The Beeline News – April-June 2007