Washington, D.C. — David Heller, senior vice president of government affairs and safety at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), has declared the shortage of legal truck parking the single most pressing issue for professional drivers. During a January webinar detailing regulatory developments, Heller highlighted that while safety data remains concerning, the lack of secure and accessible parking spaces continues to undermine compliance and driver well-being across the nation.

The industry faces a complex regulatory environment where proposed legislation and rulemakings create constant uncertainty. Heller’s session addressed a broad spectrum of topics, including the alarming rise in fatal crashes involving large trucks. In 2021, 5,370 fatalities occurred in such incidents, with 872 of those deaths involving truck drivers. Heller noted that 555 of those drivers were not wearing seatbelts, a statistic he described as a wake-up call for the sector to reverse current safety trends through immediate legislative action.

Despite the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 allocating $110 billion for infrastructure, the actual impact on truck parking has been limited by dramatic increases in construction costs between 2021 and 2023. Heller explained that the funding originally authorized no longer equates to the current price of building roads and bridges. To address the parking deficit, two bills are currently moving through Congress: House Bill 2367 and Senate Bill 1035. These proposals seek to allocate $755 million over three years specifically for truck parking infrastructure. TCA lobbyists are currently working to secure five to six additional co-sponsors to advance these measures.

What This Means for Drivers

For the average CDL-A driver, the parking shortage translates directly into lost revenue and increased fatigue. Heller cited data showing an average loss of $5,000 per driver due to time wasted searching for legal parking spots. Heat maps presented during the webinar showed trucks frequently stationed in unauthorized areas, including side streets and freeway ramps near truck stops, which exposes owner-operators to theft risks and enforcement actions. Fleet managers and OTR truck drivers must remain vigilant, as the lack of infrastructure forces many to choose between sleeping in their cabs or driving further to find a spot, violating hours-of-service rules in the process.

Industry Reaction

The TCA’s stance is clear: legislative intervention is no longer optional but a necessity for industry survival. Heller pointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent allocation of over $300 million to tackle the parking crisis as a positive step, but emphasized that more is needed. The association is also pushing for other workforce-focused legislation, including the Workforce Improvement Act and the Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, Heller warned that political maneuvering could influence the direction of these critical bills, making the next few years a pivotal period for securing long-term solutions for truck driver jobs and safety.

Key Points

• House Bill 2367 and Senate Bill 1035 propose $755 million for truck parking over three years.
• 5,370 large truck fatalities were recorded in 2021, with 555 drivers not wearing seatbelts.
• Construction cost inflation has significantly reduced the purchasing power of 2021 infrastructure funding.
• Marijuana accounts for 57.2% of positive drug tests, complicating return-to-duty processes under FMCSA regulations.

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