Nowadays owner operators don’t just have to deal with the various challenges arising from road construction, heavy traffic and other vehicle related difficulties. They also face a difficult situation when it comes to finding parking spots for their rigs during required breaks, especially now that federal law mandates a certain number of them.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the parking situation has literally, in some instances, become a matter of life and death. In areas where there are insufficient parking spots for rigs, drivers are often forced to park in places that pose hazards to owner operators and their tractor trailers. An increased number of crimes against truckers has occurred, including multiple instances of robbery and at least two murders, when truck drivers had to park in areas lacking good safety measures.
After the murder of Jason Rivenburg in 2009, which occurred while he parked in an isolated location due to a lack of safe parking places, his widow lobbied to have truck parking made eligible for federal funding. She succeeded in having passed what is known as Jason’s Law, but in spite of the law being on the books, at this hour federal funding still is not being allocated sufficiently to remedy the problem.
So what, exactly, should happen next?
According to the Wall Street Journal, again, the best bet is for congressional representatives to push for more and better funding measures. Constituents need to speak to their representatives regarding this all important issue, which will guarantee the safety of owner operators as they perform their essential job duties, which benefit all consumers.
When it comes to commercial or owner operator truck insurance in Florida, you need a company that understands the unique challenges that those in the trucking business face.
For more information on the right rig insurance coverage for your business, whether you own one rig or an entire fleet, contact us.
