OOIDA Applauds Bipartisan Bills in Senate, House to Expand Truck Parking

After many years, the political stars appear to have aligned in Congress to finally get this through

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) announced its strong support for the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Angie Craig (D-MN). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would dramatically increase designated parking for commercial trucks.

The lack of truck parking has been a problem for decades and is only getting worse as capacity has not kept pace with the increasing number of trucks on the roadways. There is currently only 1 parking spot for every 11 trucks, resulting in drivers wasting an average of one hour every day trying to secure parking.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.

“I grew up in a family trucking business. 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,” said Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL).

“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 Rep. Craig. “Rep. 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 top reason female commercial drivers leave the industry is because they are concerned about their personal safety,” said Ellen Voie, Founder of the Women In Trucking Association. “Parking areas need to be safe and available for breaks when needed. The Women In Trucking Association supports this legislation because our mission includes addressing obstacles and a safe place to rest is something our members absolutely need and deserve while moving our nation’s goods.”

Drivers need the ability to rest in safe places to best operate on America’s roadways. Trucks parked on highway shoulders, exit and entrance ramps, vacant lots, and side streets create an immediate safety hazard for truck drivers and other roadway users. Additionally, the time drivers waste finding safe parking is time not spent getting goods to their destination, slowing the supply chain and raising the costs for consumers. Expanding truck parking capacity will improve road safety and supply chain efficiency.

The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act would invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the creation of new truck parking spaces. Funding would be awarded on a competitive basis and applicants would be required to submit detailed proposals to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The primary focus would be to construct new truck parking facilities and convert existing weigh stations and rest areas into functional parking spaces for truck drivers. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was introduced in the 117^th Congress and unanimously passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Full text of the legislation is available HERE

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