House Lawmakers Reintroduce Truck Parking Bill

Lawmakers Push for Truck Parking Expansion with New Bill

A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has reintroduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, aiming to alleviate the critical shortage of parking spaces for truck drivers across the country. The proposed legislation would allocate $755 million over five years (from FY2025 through FY2029) through a competitive grant program to increase parking options for truckers.

This is not the first time such legislation has been proposed. Similar bills were introduced in 2021 and 2023, but despite overwhelming industry support, they did not advance. This renewed effort underscores the urgent need for safe, legal, and accessible parking for truck drivers who often struggle to find rest stops that comply with federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations.

Truckers Face a Safety Crisis Due to Parking Shortages

The severe lack of truck parking has been a top concern for owner-operators and motor carriers for years. Many truckers spend hours searching for a safe place to park, forcing some to either drive beyond their legal limits or park in unsafe locations, such as highway shoulders, abandoned lots, or even exit ramps.

“When truckers don’t have a safe place to park, we are put in a no-win situation,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). “We must either continue to drive while fatigued or out of legal driving time, or park in an undesignated and unsafe location. It forces truck drivers to choose between safety and following federal Hours-of-Service rules.”

American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear echoed this concern, warning that the lack of truck parking presents an unacceptable risk to truckers and the motoring public.

What the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act Proposes

If passed, the bill would fund several critical projects to expand truck parking across the U.S., including:

? New truck parking facilities – Building standalone “safety rest areas” specifically for truck drivers. ? Expanding existing truck stops and rest areas – Adding more parking spaces to private truck stops, travel plazas, and public rest areas. ? Reopening closed facilities – Repurposing closed weigh stations, park-and-ride lots, and safety rest areas for commercial truck parking.

Lawmakers Push for Immediate Action

Congressman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), one of the bill’s lead sponsors, emphasized that truckers deserve safe, reliable places to park after long hours on the road.

“I know firsthand 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,” said Bost, whose family has a trucking background. “By expanding access to parking options, we are making roads safer for all commuters and ensuring that goods are shipped efficiently.”

The bill also has bipartisan support, with co-sponsors Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), and Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) joining the effort to ensure truck drivers can find parking without jeopardizing safety.

The Path Forward

The lack of truck parking has been a growing crisis for years, with federal and state governments failing to address the issue adequately. Many trucking industry leaders and safety advocates are now urging Congress to pass this bill, arguing that investing in truck parking is essential for driver well-being, road safety, and supply chain efficiency.

As the bill moves through Congress, industry groups and trucking associations will be closely monitoring its progress and advocating for swift action to finally address the parking shortage that has plagued truckers for decades.

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Source:

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/house-lawmakers-reintroduce-truck-parking-bill