A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have breathed new life into a bill that could help commercial truck drivers nationwide by providing funds to expand parking capacity across America. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act would grant funds for more parking spaces specifically designed for commercial trucks and drivers – helping reduce dangerous driving conditions caused by an insufficient number of available spots.
In a joint statement, the American Trucking Associations, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and NATSO have expressed enthusiastic approval over new legislation proposing to provide grant funding for more truck parking spaces. This major investment of $755 million is set to benefit America’s long-haul drivers with increased access to rest stops nationwide.
The proposed legislation could bring significant relief to truck drivers across the nation. With its implementation, new parking facilities would be erected, and existing weigh stations repurposed into functional spaces for those on long-haul journeys – promising a much-needed respite along their routes.
After its introduction in the 117th Congress the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act unanimously passed the House Committee on Transportation and infrastructure. The bill was introduced by Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) in the U.S. Senate, and Reps. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“The lack of safe and accessible truck parking places an enormous and costly burden on our nation’s truck drivers as they work to deliver for the American people,” said Chris Spear ATA President and CEO in a press release. “Given the chronic nature of this issue and its national scope, it is imperative Congress takes action to provide dedicated funding to expand commercial truck parking capacity.
When truck drivers are unable to find safe, authorized parking, they’re forced to either park in unsafe or illegal locations, or to violate federal hours-of-service rules that regulate their daily drive-time to search for safer, legal alternatives, ATA officials wrote.
“Most folks probably don’t realize that 70% of American freight is transported by truck, yet incredibly there is only one parking spot for every 11 trucks on the road,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer in a press release. “When truck drivers don’t have a designated place to park, they end up parking on the side of the road, near exit ramps, or elsewhere. This isn’t safe for the driver and it’s not safe for others on the road.”
Source: truckinginfo
