The Issue
All long haul truckers need a safe, secure place to park that is easily accessible from the interstates. Unfortunately, this basic requirement, which is also necessary for truckers to be compliant with hours-of-service regulations, is in extremely short supply. If a driver is unable to find legal parking, he or she is in a very precarious position, forced to either operate illegally or park illegally. This presents a safety issue not only for the driver, but for the motoring public as well.
The shortage is primarily caused by a lack of finances available to build and maintain parking. In the last highway authorization bill (SAFETEA LU) there were two programs to help states address the parking shortage. One was called the “Truck Parking Pilot Program” and the other was called the “Interstate Oasis” program. The first program set aside $25 million, or $5 million a year, to expand parking capacity. None of that money was spent on parking and the last administration decided to re-designate that money for the “Corridors of the Future” program. By the end of last year, that program provided $11 million to two small truck parking projects (I-5 and I-95). The “Interstate Oasis” program, however, did nothing to increase parking capacity at all. This turned into more of a marketing program whereby some states could use it to direct traffic to existing private parking facilities.
Interestingly, based on recent truck parking studies, in late 2008 Pennsylvania found there is a 4,400 shortfall of truck parking spaces and New Jersey recently found a shortfall of 1,300 truck parking spaces. Recent studies in Washington, California and Virginia have come to similar conclusions. Both fatigued driving and unsafe parking are safety issues for drivers as well as the travelling public. Additionally, drivers that park in unsafe locations are sitting ducks to solicitations and threats to the drivers, their equipment, and their freight. This is most critical to HAZMAT drivers due to placard requirements.
The Status
“Jason’s Law” has been introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. H.R. 1803 and Senate S. 1176, both of which seek to expand and improve upon the Truck Parking Pilot Program. Jason’s Law was originally introduced in 2009 and there are some differences in this latest version. In the House version, the legislation is fully paid for out of existing highway funds. Both versions bring commercial truck stops into the program by allowing these entities to partner with state officials in applying for funds. The Department of Transportation is now required to focus funds on the areas where there are true parking shortages and the must add capacity first.
Legislation similar to Jason’s Law has been included in the Senate bill known as MAP-21, also known as the highway bill, passed through the Environment and Public Works Committee. This bill, a massive reauthorization of highway programs, has a long way to go before becoming law.
What we can do
Members and concerned citizens should contact their Congressmen and Senators to ask them to support Jason’s Law. Truckers should stress to their lawmakers the safety and security issues that surround the lack of truck parking.
To contact their U.S. lawmakers, truckers can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, provide the operator with their home state or zip code and the operators will connect them with the appropriate offices.