Southern Illinois News

 U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (R-Carbondale) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced H.R.2187, known as the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. The bill is intended to expand parking spots for truck drivers, thus making the road safer for them and other vehicles.

"I’m proud to introduce the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act today, which would help create sufficient parking options for long-haul truckers,” Bost said in a Twitter post. “This will not only help keep them safe during their rest breaks but will also mean safer roads for everyone." 

The purpose of the bill is to address the shortage of available parking spots for semis and large commercial-truck drivers once they have driven all of their available hours, or grown too tired to drive, compromising the safety of others on the highway. Funds for the creation of new parking will be allocated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“I grew up in a family trucking business and spent years driving over the road,” said Bost. “Since then, we’ve seen the need for more trucks and drivers increase significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when trucking helped to keep our economy going. However, the number of truck parking spaces hasn’t kept pace. That means that drivers are forced to park in unsafe locations, which puts both them and other motorists at risk. Creating sufficient parking options for long-haul truckers will not only help keep truckers safe during their rest breaks but will also mean safer roads for everyone.”

The law was initially spurred by the 2003 killing of Jason Rivenburg, who was forced to pull over in an unsafe location where he was shot in the head and robbed of $7 on his way to deliver a load in North Carolina. His killer’s 2009 murder conviction was followed by the passing of Jason’s Law, resulting in various federal analyses, stakeholder meetings, and roundtables to discuss potential solutions for truck parking and safety challenges.

“Without adequate parking, truck drivers are forced to pull to the side of the road or continue driving – both of which are risky,” said Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN). “I’m proud to join Representative Bost to reintroduce the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act which would increase truck parking spaces and improve safety for the folks who transport our goods and everyone on our roads.”

The bill’s co-sponsors include Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Pete Stauber (R-MN), and Susan Wild (D-PA), with additional support from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the American Trucking Associations, the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, American Highway Users Alliance, and the Institute for Safer Trucking.

“Truckers often wonder if anyone in Washington is listening,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer. “The introduction of the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act shows that not only are some Members of Congress listening, but lawmakers from across the political spectrum are willing to step up and address one of the greatest concerns for professional drivers – the national shortage of safe truck parking. OOIDA is proud to support this important legislation and will continue to work with our bipartisan champions and industry partners to get it passed.”