The availability of truck parking spaces at rest stops has once again come to the fore. It has always been a problem, but it has gained new attention. Several accidents and resulting lawsuits when motorists hit a truck parked on the side of the road or on ramps caught the attention of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Number of spaces
The number of truck parking spaces has been in the top 5 issues for truck drivers since 2015. There is an average of 7.63 parking spaces per rest stop across the country. It’s a figure that is woefully inadequate for the number of trucks on the road. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates that truck drivers spend an average of 56 minutes each day just looking for a parking space. There is usually 1 place for every 11 trucks.
Alternative solutions
Drivers are forced to park on the side of the road, at freeway on- and off-ramps, at truck stops or in retail parking spaces, mainly at large stores. There are apps that alert drivers to an open space, but the need outstrips the availability.
Laws vary
Vehicles of any type should only park on the side of a road if there is an emergency. The laws do not recognize the need for rest as an emergency. Some states prohibit parking in these areas, while others do not.
Drivers parked in these areas shut off their trucks to save fuel, so they have no lights to warn drivers. Conversely, many of the motorists who rear-ended a semi were found to be speeding prior to the crash. It’s not just parked passenger vehicles that crash into semis. Greyhound buses have also collided with parked semis.
Driving time limits
The introduction of electronic registration devices has exacerbated the problem. The time limits that a truck driver can drive are very specific. Drivers must stop for idle time or they are in violation. If they can’t locate a suitable parking space, they have no choice but to stop wherever they are. In 2020, there were 4,000 injuries resulting from drivers crashing into trucks that were parked on interstate shoulders and ramps, 55 of which resulted in a fatality.
Increased funding
The good news is that funding has been secured to increase the number of big rig parking spaces in several states. It doesn’t fully meet the needs of truckers, but it’s a start in the right direction.
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