Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act has bipartisan backing

Washington — Legislation intended to ease a nationwide shortage of safe places for truck drivers to park and rest has been reintroduced in the House.

Backed by Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and 24 other lawmakers, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 1659) would authorize the transportation secretary to issue $755 million in grants for projects that create truck parking.

“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,” Bost said in a press release. “This is a matter of public safety for everyone, and I’m committed to do all I can to drive this legislation over the finish line.”

In a separate release, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said a lack of safe parking “poses an unacceptable risk to both truckers and the nation’s motoring public.”

He added, “One of the most meaningful ways Congress can show its support for America’s professional truck drivers is to ensure they have a safe place to park and sleep when they take their federally mandated rest break or finish their shift.”

ATA cites a recent Department of Transportation report showing that 98% of truck drivers regularly struggle to find safe parking, with 7 out of 10 drivers “forced to violate federal hours-of-service rules” as a result.

The bill previously was introduced in March 2023. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the legislation with a 60-4 vote, but it didn’t advance past the full House.