A new Georgia law authorizes the creation of a statewide freight and logistics implementation plan that includes an emphasis on truck parking.
On Monday, May 6, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law a bill to create a 20-year plan that includes annual updates to state lawmakers on critical projects such as widening of interstates and non-interstate arterial roads, intermodal or multimodal capacity improvements, and commercial vehicle parking and safety improvements.
The legislative action was the result of a Senate study committee to address issues relevant to truck drivers. The panel held hearings a year ago to look at how truck issues could affect the economy as a whole, as well as every supply chain.
At the group’s final gathering, Chairman Jason Anavitarte unveiled about a dozen recommendations in a nearly 30-page report.
Recommendations included working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to expand truck parking options and limit unauthorized truck parking.
Previously HB617, the new law states that “the General Assembly recognizes the safe, effective, efficient and expedient movement of people and goods are essential to the economic and overall well-being of Georgia and her citizens.”
Additionally, the bill read that “continued freight growth and the corresponding investments to support, sustain and integrate that growth are critical to Georgia’s future opportunities and prosperity.”
OOIDA welcomes action
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has stressed that expanding safe truck parking improves safety for all road users.
George O’Connor, OOIDA’s director of communication, recently said that truck drivers do not want to park in unsafe locations that include road shoulders, off-ramps and on-ramps.
He added that truckers park in such locations “because they run out of regulated hours and literally have nowhere else to park and rest.”
Doug Morris, OOIDA director of state government affairs, has noted that the Association has seen many truck parking studies and surveys. He welcomes action to “actually produce the space and pavement for additional spots.”
Truck parking nationwide
Available truck parking continues to be an issue nationally. New information, however, suggests significant improvement when it comes to availability nationwide.
A Jason’s Law survey from 2019 showed there were about 313,000 truck parking spaces across the nation. The figures included 40,000 spaces at public rest areas and 273,000 at private truck stops. LL
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