In The News

Eye on Trucking: Safety measures needed for rest areas, parking

“Although highways can be dangerous places to work, so can truck stops or any place truck drivers stop to eat, refuel or rest. Truck stops are generally isolated and not very well illuminated, making truck drivers walking across truck stop parking lots at night or sitting in their cabs an easy mark. Assault can happen at any time, during the day or night, and even at stops that drivers may use safely on a regular basis.

“Deciding where to park is the key to truck stop safety. All drivers should find a parking spot that is well lit and as close to the main building as possible. Drivers should always be vigilant when leaving or returning to their vehicle.”

— A warning from the Consumer Information/Occupational Safety section of the Web site of the law firm Morgan and Morgan

On Thursday, March 5, Jason Rivenburg pulled his truck into a fuel station on Interstate 26 in South Carolina that has been used frequently and considered to be somewhat safe.

He was only 12 miles from his destination, but could not make delivery because it was too early.

His delivery never took place.

Rivenburg was shot and killed as he rested in his truck, the victim of a robbery, which netted the assailant only $7.

He left behind his wife, a son that turned 2 years old last month in April and twins who were born only two weeks after his death.

Rivenburg’s case drew the attention of Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., a first-term congressman who represents the district in which the Rivenburgs live.

Tonko’s bill, introduced late last month, would establish a pilot program to construct safety rest areas, including areas for commercial vehicles. Some of those new areas would include commercial truck parking adjacent to existing truck stops.

Only Rip Van Winkle would be oblivious to the fact that truck parking is in short, short, short supply in this country.

And the reality is that most truckers are away from home more than half the nights in one week.

Earlier this month we polled truckers to find out just how much time they spent on the road.

Almost 20 percent said they spend six or seven nights a week in a truck stop or other parking facility; 29 percent spend four to five nights a week in a parking lot.

Only 15 percent said they never have to spend the night at a truck stop.

The comments were interesting:

“If I’m not at home, I get a motel room. Trucks are for working. When it comes to rest, I want to be comfortable.”

“Dispatchers won’t hesitate to strand drivers out of hours where there are no services.”

“Would be more [nights at a truck stop] but can’t find a place to park. Would be great to find parking easier.”

“If at all possible, I like to park at my shipper/receiver instead of the closest truck stop. That way, I’m ready when they arrive for business. When I do have to stay at a truck stop, I find that it is difficult to find an available space after early afternoon.”

Then there is the trucker who is concerned about the government getting involved in truck parking who wrote: “I’d feel better if local governments were not involved in controlling funds for Jason’s Law since few have proven they are above mismanagement when it comes to money.”

We might agree except for the fact that Tonko’s bill gives the Department of Transportation the responsibility for controlling the pilot project, and from what we’ve seen thus far, we don’t expect that to happen under the watch of DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.

Let’s hope Mr. Tonko is able to get his bill through Congress so the road is safer for truckers and other motorists, as well.

Lyndon Finney of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected].