By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
Top Picture is a file photo taken from a few summers ago in Concan and is being used for illustration purposes only
06-29-25
County Road 348 also referred to as River Road in Concan is a two-lane road with many twists and turns. It is a primary road that tubers and river goers travel to get to two popular river crossings, river resorts and vacation rental subdivisions as well as the route to the Frio Valley Ranch Golf Course and the House Pasture Restaurant and concert venue.
During the peak summer season, especially on weekends, the traffic is heavy on River Road. While the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour, some drivers like to push the limit.
Golf carts are also often seen traveling on River Road adding to the traffic.
Yesterday, Saturday afternoon, as I was driving down River Road heading to my part time job in Concan, I noticed an extended cab pickup truck with at least seven people riding in the bed of the pickup with the tailgate down. Among the passengers were two children, one approximately 6-years-old and a 4-year-old sitting on the edge of the tailgate with legs dangling off the edge as the truck was moving. An adult male, likely the father of the two children, would extend his arms in front of the children when the truck hit a bump in the road or made a turn. The passengers in the back of the truck were also hanging on to inflated tubes ready for a river float.
Just a few moments earlier, another pickup truck was seen parked on the side of the road with what appeared to be a flat tire. In the bed of that truck a young girl about 7- years old was seen crouched in the bed of the truck under a river tube for shade.
As someone who commutes to Concan several times a week, seeing children riding in the bed sof pick-up trucks is something I see all too often.
Under the Texas State Transportation Code 545.414. Riding in Open Beds, it reads: (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates an open-bed pickup truck or an open flatbed truck or draws an open flatbed trailer when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck or trailer.
Some argue saying, “Hey, It’s summer! Let people enjoy their vacation.” or “When I grew up back in the day as kids, we rode in the bed of pick-ups all the time.”
If that is the case, regarding law enforcement, how about playing a little fast and loose with DUI situations, speed limits, seat belt laws and parking in designated no parking areas along River Road? It’s summer; let people enjoy their vacations.
Perhaps a resort area or vacation defense could be added to a number of State Laws pertaining to children riding in the open bed of pickups?
I doubt dad’s extended arm would be quick enough to prevent his 4-year-old daughter from falling from the bed of the pickup truck onto the pavement. Aren’t there enough AirLife Flights already dispatched to Concan for those who are critically injured in car and river accidents?
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