Kelly, Lummis Introduce Bill to Improve Truck and Road Safety

Today, United States Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) reintroduced the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to create a short-term authorization of funds to increase truck parking capacity and to improve existing truck parking infrastructure. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AR). Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

“The shortage of available and reliable parking for truck drivers puts a strain on truckers, Arizona businesses, and our nation’s supply chain. Our bipartisan legislation will ensure that truck drivers can safely and efficiently move the goods that support our economy. I am grateful for Senator Lummis’s continued partnership on this effort and her commitment to tackling this issue,” said Senator Kelly.

“Wyoming is home to three major interstates that carry thousands of tons of cargo a day. Without safe truck parking, truckers spend an unnecessary amount of time searching for a place to park – putting truckers and Wyoming drivers at greater risk for accidents. This is easily solvable, and I am thankful to Senator Kelly for joining me in finding a commonsense solution,” said Senator Lummis. “People in Wyoming are still feeling the impacts of the supply chain crisis, and unreliable truck parking is another contributing factor to that. Fixing the parking problem will help ease this burden on consumers.”

“Truckers spend long hours behind the wheel every day to make sure Montanans have the goods we need on our shelves. With working families facing rising prices on everything from gas to groceries, it’s important we keep our truckers safe and ensure our supply chains are running smoothly to help cut costs,” said Senator Tester. “That’s why I’m proud to team up with folks on both sides of the aisle to improve truck parking infrastructure and ensure consumers get the goods they need on time.”

“Truckers play a crucial role in our supply chain. Arkansas truckers have shared with me the difficulties they frequently experience in finding a safe location to park as they transport goods and products across the country. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act is an investment that will make it easier for these drivers to find reliable parking, and improve efficiency, while protecting all motorists on the roads,”said Senator Boozman.  

“I grew up in a family trucking business,” said Representative Bost. “I understand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to push that extra mile in search of a safe place to park. By expanding access to parking options for truckers, we are making our roads safer for all commuters and ensuring that goods and supplies are shipped to market in the most efficient way possible. This is a matter of public safety; and I’m committed to do all I can to drive this legislation over the finish line.”

“Our truck drivers play a critical role in keeping our supply chains moving and intact – and it’s our responsibility to make sure they are able to do so safely and efficiently,” said Representative Craig. “Representative Bost and I are working to pass our bipartisan bill through the House to improve road safety for truck drivers and everyone on the road.”

“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. 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. We thank Senators Lummis and Kelly for their leadership on this vital piece of legislation, which will strengthen our supply chain and improve highway safety for all motorists,”said Chris Spear, President of American Trucking Associations.

“Most folks probably don’t realize that 70% of American freight is transported by truck, yet incredibly there is only 1 parking spot for every 11 trucks on the road,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.“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. Senator Lummis, Senator Kelly, Representative Bost, and Representative Craig have heard from small business truckers across America and are leading the charge in Congress to improve road safety through expanded truck parking.”

“Scarce availability of truck parking is at crisis levels across the nation.  Truck parking remains at the top of truckers’ most pressing concerns and among the top issues for fleet owners. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act represents an important part of the solution, and NASTC proudly supports it,” said David Owen, President of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies.

“Truck drivers deserve a safe and secure place to rest as they work to deliver a nation. TCA would like to thank Senators Kelly and Lummis and Representatives Bost and Craig for introducing bills to address the national shortage of parking affecting truck drivers across our country. The truckload industry is glad to have policymakers on Capitol Hill championing this issue and supporting the American truck driver – essential to our nation’s supply chain,” said Jim Ward, President of Truckload Carriers Association. “By allocating this investment from the Highway Trust Fund, the proposal smartly utilizes money set aside for infrastructure projects. With one truck parking space for every 11 drivers, this is a problem in much-need of these dedicated dollars. Without sufficient parking, truck drivers are regularly forced to pick among bad options: forfeit drivable time to secure a spot, park illegally and unsafely along highway shoulders and exit and entry ramps, or drive beyond their regulated hours. Improving parking for truck drivers will increase productivity, but most importantly will lead to better safety outcomes for all motorists on our roadways.”

“We appreciate that the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act recognizes the important role that travel centers and truckstops play in serving America’s long-haul truck drivers,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “With more than 5,000 Interstate truckstops and travel centers providing 90 percent of the truck parking capacity in the United States, truckstops and travel centers play a key role in addressing any state concerns over truck parking capacity. Truckstops and travel centers are uniquely positioned to meet all of the needs of commercial drivers, including their need to stop and rest. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act presents an opportunity for grant recipients to increase truck parking capacity along those freight corridors where it may be needed in a manner that best serves America’s drivers.” 

“As an organization committed to promoting truck safety, we support for the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act,” said Harry Adler, Principal of the Institute for Safer Trucking. “If we are going to improve safety throughout the trucking industry, it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of commercial truck drivers. By providing safe and accessible truck parking facilities, we can help ensure that drivers are well rested.” 

“Most folks probably don’t realize that 70% of American freight is transported by truck, yet incredibly there is only 1 parking spot for every 11 trucks on the road,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.“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. Senator Lummis, Senator Kelly, Representative Bost, and Representative Craig have heard from small business truckers across America and are leading the charge in Congress to improve road safety through expanded truck parking.”

Background

Truckers are legally obligated to comply with ‘Hours of Service’ Regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is estimated that truckers spend approximately one hour per day looking for safe parking, which cuts down on time driving to their destination. According to a study commissioned by the Federal Highway Administration, 98% of truck drivers say they regularly experience difficulty finding safe parking, and are forced to park on an exit ramp, on the side of an interstate, or other unsafe areas. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act will allocate funds to create thousands of safe parking spots for trucks and make necessary improvements to existing truck parking areas.