OOIDA Call to Action - Virginia members
May 29, 2009

Attention, Virginia Truckers!

Last week VDOT officials submitted their final recommendation to close 19 rest areas to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to save the commonwealth approximately $9 million. 

We think this is lunacy!!  The rest areas on our interstate highways are not for luxury, but for safety, to allow ALL drivers to get safely off the road when they need a break.  Is this compromise in safety worth a measly $9 million??  We don’t think so!  The miniscule savings the commonwealth will realize from closing these rest areas will be offset many times over by the loss of life and limb on the highways.

On Monday, Todd Spencer, OOIDA Executive Vice President, wrote a letter to Governor Tim Kaine expressing shock, disbelief and grave concern over this proposal.  But Governor Kaine and Virginia lawmakers should also be hearing from truckers on this issue.  They need to know that this would be a major blow to ALL drivers already struggling to find a parking spot when they need to take a break.

You can contact Governor Kaine at (804) 786-2211.  The fax number is (804) 371-6351.  The address is:  The Honorable Timothy Kaine, Office of the Governor, Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor, 1111 East Broad St., Richmond, VA  23219. 
To get your state lawmakers contact information, click here.
In addition to contacting Gov. Kaine and your lawmakers, you should write a letter to your local newspaper about VDOT’s proposal to close these rest areas.  This ridiculous proposal affects everyone --- not just truckers --- and we need to get the word out!

Finally, the CTB is expected to make its final decision on the rest area issue at its monthly public meeting on Thursday, June 18, in Richmond.  The public is welcome to attend and voice their concerns.  Undoubtedly, however, the decision will likely already be made prior to this meeting.  So, it is URGENT that the Governor and lawmakers hear about this critical safety issue well in advance of that meeting.

This is a safety issue for all motorists, plain and simple.  The Governor, Virginia lawmakers and the public need to know ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!