The deaths of four women yesterday morning in Kunia has renewed the debate over whether to ban people from riding in the beds of pickup trucks. But any effort to strengthen the law isn't likely to happen this legislative session, which ends next week.

Current law prohibits anyone 12 or younger from riding in the bed of a pickup truck, except in an emergency. The law does not restrict the number of people in a truck bed, although no one is allowed to stand.

Yesterday's crash was the worst involving passengers in a pickup bed in the past 15 years, said Dan Galanis, epidemiologist with the state Department of Health's Injury Prevention and Control program. There have been two pickup truck accidents since 1991 that each involved two deaths, he said.

From 1996 to 2004, 15 people have been killed in accidents while riding in the bed of a pickup and only one of the victims was younger 14, Galanis said. Figures for last year were not available.

State Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-19th (Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki), said statistics like these prove that no one should be allowed in the bed of a pickup. For years, Marumoto has fought for such legislation.

"I haven't been successful, but every time there's an accident like this it publicizes the fact that pickup trucks are very dangerous and they're deadly," Marumoto said. "The pickup truck beds are not designed for passengers."

Opponents say that banning riders from pickup truck beds is unfair to people who live on the Neighbor Islands, where public transit isn't always available. They also argue that a tougher law would penalize families in rural areas where trucks are their only mode of transportation.

But Marumoto said that something needs to be done to prevent another tragedy like yesterday's crash.

"We just have to keep pushing," she said. "I just cringe every time I see someone in the back of a truck."

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.