ATA takes truck parking fight to Senate subcommittee
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) took its fight for truck parking to a U.S. Senate panel on Nov. 7, arguing that a national parking shortage represents a growing safety hazard.
“There is simply not enough truck parking capacity along key freight corridors. The lack of truck parking has a severe impact on the health and wellbeing of truck drivers and even broader safety implications for the motoring public,” Iowa Motor Truck Association president Brenda Neville told a Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing.
“In every conversation I have with female truck drivers, truck parking is always the first thing they mention when asked what needs to be improved,” she added, noting female drivers cite the issues as a major barrier to attracting more women to trucking.
Speaking on behalf of ATA, she urged committee members to support the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which over five years would dedicate US$755 million for truck parking projects.
The Federal Highway Administration said in 2019 that 98% of truck drivers regularly struggled to find truck parking.
Truck drivers give up about 56 minutes of available drive time per day by parking early because they’re unable to find authorized parking down the road, Neville added.
‘A serious safety issue’
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance echoed concerns.
“Without adequate parking facilities, drivers are forced to choose between exceeding their allowable driving time and parking in an unsafe location. Parking facilities need to be available to drivers who are trying to comply with hours-of-service requirements, as well as those who are ill or fatigued,” CVSA executive director Collin Mooney said.
“The national shortage of truck parking capacity is a serious safety issue that concerns the entire motoring public. Investment in infrastructure is a proven means to improving highway safety,” several law enforcement groups said in a related statement.
“Congress can play a constructive role by dedicating federal resources to expand truck parking capacity so that the nation’s professional truck drivers have greater access to safe and authorized parking options.”
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When I first heard Jasons Law had been passed, I thought you were on the road to getting the truck rest areas you needed, but it seems that was not enough. I have ben and visited and whilst I recognise the shortages you face, the truckstops you have and their food and facilities beat too many of ours hands down. Then we have bigger vehicles and way too few sites with toilets, let alone showers. I do watch what goes on there to see if we can use and or follow in your footsteps and I do hope this current action gets you the truck parking spaces you need. Rod Hannifey, TRUCKRIGHT, Australia
We can’t expect taxpayers to cover the cost of more parking
The shipping and receiving need to come up with at least 50 percent of the cost of new parking with electric plugs and bathroom. A tax of $30 U S for every pickup or delivery by a tractor and trailer truck of over 55 ft in length so go I to a fund for parking and improving the intersections and overnight safe place for sick or injured truck drivers
Only then should ask the gov for matching $ for parking.