Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the addition of 1,400 truck parking spots in the state to enhance safety for drivers who frequently encounter a shortage of secure rest locations. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Many truck drivers all over the nation are forced to pull over to sleep in unsafe areas such as highway shoulders and entrance/exit ramps because there aren't enough parking spots," said Mike Dewine, Governor of Ohio. "Here in Ohio, we're adding 1,400 additional truck parking spots across the state to help keep truck drivers safe."

The United States is experiencing an increasing shortage of truck parking, which forces drivers to park in unsafe or unauthorized areas, posing risks to both truckers and motorists. According to the Associated Press, the National Transportation Safety Board linked a 2023 Greyhound crash in Illinois to fatigued truckers parked on a ramp due to insufficient legal parking options, underscoring urgent infrastructure needs.

Ohio currently has approximately 14,200 truck parking spaces, primarily at private stops. The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that public locations average only 16 spots each. The state plans to add 1,400 spaces at 33 public sites, nearly doubling capacity and positioning Ohio as a leader in public-sector parking initiatives.

Truck parking shortages are consistently ranked among the top issues in trucking. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that over 90% of drivers struggle to find safe parking and nearly 60% resort to unauthorized areas like shoulders or industrial zones. These shortages increase fatigue-related crash risks nationwide.

DeWine has served as Ohio’s 70th governor since 2019 after holding positions as Attorney General, U.S. Senator, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Representative, and state senator. According to Wikipedia, he has prioritized infrastructure by signing a multibillion-dollar transportation budget aimed at improving road safety and fostering economic growth.