“I know that truck parking is an issue that most Americans probably don’t think about every day—but it’s [a] vitally important one…
And that’s because it’s a life and death issue.”
– U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
It’s increasingly common for motorists to see 18-wheelers parked in the breakdown lane of the highway, offramps, side streets, and the shoulder of rest areas.
According to the American Transportation Research Institute, the lack of available truck parking is a perennial industry issue and one that is receiving increased attention at the state and federal levels. It is estimated that there is just one truck parking space nationally for every 11 truck drivers. Nationally, the average rest area has 19 truck parking spaces, with states in the South having an average of 25 truck parking spaces per rest area while states in the Northeast have an average of 15 per rest area. A West Haven, CT truck accident lawyer can help individuals injured in collisions involving commercial trucks investigate potential safety violations, identify liable parties, and pursue compensation for the damages resulting from a crash.
The lack of available truck parking has dire safety implications for both truck drivers and the motoring public. When drivers are unable to find safe, authorized parking, they are stuck in an untenable situation, forced to either park in unsafe or illegal locations, or violate federal hours-of-service regulations by continuing to search for safer, legal alternatives. As a last resort, drivers reluctantly park in unsafe locations—such as highway shoulders, interstate entrance and exit ramps, and abandoned properties—creating heightened safety risks for themselves and other motorists. The hazards of the parking shortage were sadly brought to the nation’s attention when three passengers were killed and many others seriously injured after a Greyhound bus hit three tractor-semitrailers parked on the shoulder of a rest area’s exit ramp on I-70 in Illinois. The drivers were forced to park on the shoulder when the rest area filled up.
Professional tractor trailer drivers have several options for parking while they rest. The most obvious is truck stops. Because of the amenities, including lighting, food and fuel, these parking spots fill up fast, especially after 6 p.m. Rest areas are also an excellent place to safely park a tractor trailer. They are usually free and readily accessible off interstates. Typically, they are not as safe as truck stops due to the isolation. Another option is a paid parking lot which accepts reservations. They guarantee a parking spot with added security, but they cost anywhere between $15 -$25 per night. Last resort is street parking. The driver must be aware of the risks of fines, towing or local ordinances that prohibit truck parking.
Under typical roadway conditions, shoulders are intended to provide a space of relative safety beyond the travel lanes for vehicles that break down. They also serve as a clear zone for drivers to take emergency maneuvers to avoid a crash. Shoulders can only satisfy these critical safety purposes if they are clear and unobstructed; for this reason, motorists are not permitted to park or stop along the shoulder of a highway unless there is an emergency.
As a result of their size and limited acceleration capabilities, tractor trailers create an even greater hazard than conventional passenger vehicles when parked on the shoulder.
Bottom line, it is incumbent on trucking companies and their drivers to plan and provide safe parking options to ensure the safety of all motorists using the highways. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact Nugent & Bryant to discuss your legal options. Our team can help investigate the circumstances of the crash, determine whether safety violations played a role, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
