Arlington, Virginia – Today, the American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds be prioritized to boost the nation's truck parking capacity. The groups say the nationwide shortage of truck parking has plagued America's truckers for decades, with a wide range of consequences for highway safety, driver health and well-being, supply-chain efficiency, and the environment.
A copy of the letter can be found here. ATA President and CEO Chris Spear had this to say about the issue:
“Washington needs to listen to our nation’s truck drivers and respect their most serious needs. They are the heartbeat of our economy and directly support the frontlines in the fight against COVID—a battle that will only be won with the help of the trucking industry.
“Year after year, surveys show the severe lack of truck parking ranks amongst drivers’ top concerns. More than 98% percent of drivers report problems finding safe parking, sacrificing more than 56 minutes of available drive-time every day to find it. That wasted time amounts to a $5,500 loss in annual compensation—or a 12% pay cut.
“Not only does this add severe strain to the supply chain, but it also presents a growing safety hazard for the entire motoring public. Given the historic levels of funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, we ask that DOT prioritize this urgent need for America’s truckers.”