The Parking Problem Truck Drivers Face

Truck drivers often make strenuous and long-distance journeys to ship goods from one place to another. These demanding schedules require drivers to take breaks at certain times and meet the terms of federal hours-of-service regulations to ensure they are capable of safely operating large trucks. But mandated breaks mean truckers need access to safe and legal parking throughout the course of their journey.

On average, professional drivers spend 56 minutes of their daily drive time searching for safe parking. This is a common occurrence, with 98% of drivers experiencing these issues and 70% of drivers having to violate hours-of-service regulations so they can continue looking for a place to park.

This parking shortage can make it difficult for truck drivers to do their jobs safely.

The Choices Truckers Make When There is No Parking

When it is time for a driver to park so they can take a break or they have reached the maximum of their hours-of-service, they may pull into the closest truck stop on their route to park and rest. Some drivers may even plan their route according to truck stops along the way. However, it is not uncommon for a trucker to arrive at the rest stop to find that it is full, under construction, or closed, leaving them with minimal time to search for a new place to park.

One choice they may be forced to make is to violate the hours-of-service regulations in favor of continuing their hunt for parking. Not only does this put them in the position of going against the federal rules that professional drivers must adhere to, but it can also lead to driving while fatigued.

These regulations are in place to prevent the risks that come with drowsy driving, but when a driver chooses to push forward and look for safe parking, they have no way of knowing if the next nearby stop will have open parking. This creates an ongoing cycle that forces them to keep driving beyond their regulated hours until they find a safe spot.

Alternatively, a driver may opt to follow the hours-of-service rules but instead park somewhere unsafe or illegal. Some of the more common places for truckers to park when no rest stops are available include interstate entrance and exit ramps, road shoulders, and side streets.

The choice to park in these areas can create safety risks for everyone on the roads because there is now a higher risk of cars colliding with the parked trucks. They are parked in potentially high traffic areas. Oftentimes, trucks are parked in these areas at night, meaning the truck is sitting on the road in the dark with the lights off. This makes it more difficult for oncoming vehicles to see the truck, especially on interstate ramps where cars are accelerating, which can cause collisions. Parking on these parts of the road can also cause damage to roads that are not meant for heavy truck parking or tickets and fines from police.

Is There a Solution?

The national truck parking shortage is an ongoing and evolving issue. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation is expecting a 21% increase in the volume of freight being moved during the next decade.

Currently, there have been attempts to pass federal legislation that could alleviate the shortage by creating more parking. But in the meantime, state governments are trying to fill the gaps.

One example is the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) working to create 1,200 new spaces by 2034, which consists of a $600 million investment into 21 rest areas, welcome centers, and truck parking facilities across Indiana. This expansion will add to the 1,400 spaces that are currently allocated. The state recently opened a $37 million parking center in Boone County near I-65, which creates 150 new truck parking spaces and restrooms. INDOT is also converting rest areas along the highways into facilities only for trucks, particularly along I-65.

Another temporary solution comes in the form of monetized parking. Companies like Truck Parking Club work with private property owners to monetize vacant or underutilized land through the creation of truck parking.

Injured After a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired. Additionally, two of the firm’s litigation paralegals are board-certified in truck accident law by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. As David has said, “We don’t just handle truck accident cases. We specialize in these cases.”

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (888) 253-5198 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.