ATA CEO Chris Spear warns the crisis endangers both Truck drivers and the public, while OOIDA President Todd Spencer highlights the harsh reality: “Truckers are forced to drive fatigued or park in unsafe spots like roadside shoulders and abandoned lots.“
Advocates and Lawmakers aren’t giving up. Despite multiple attempts since 2020, Lawmakers are once again pushing to ease the truck parking crunch, reintroducing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act on Thursday.
Lawmakers are revving up efforts to tackle the truck parking shortage, reintroducing the bill that would pump $755 million into competitive grants aimed at expanding parking spaces for commercial drivers. The proposed bill would inject $755 million in competitive grants over five years to tackle the truck parking shortage. The funding would go toward building new safety rest areas, revamping closed facilities, and expanding existing parking zones along federal highways and key freight hubs—including port terminals.
“Expanding truck parking isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety,” said Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.). “More parking means safer roads for all and a smoother supply chain to keep goods moving efficiently.”
Surveys from the American Transportation Research Institute confirm what truckers already know—the economy and parking shortages are top industry challenges. With the issue in the spotlight, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure officially referred the bill on Thursday, pushing it one step closer to action.
