Will tractor trailer safety be compromised to save Virginia transportation budget dollars?

Question: if Virginia DOT officials believe that the state is deficient in providing adequate truck parking, what should they do next?

Answer: Close 61% of Virginia’s rest areas.

Are you doing a double-take?  Yes, it’s true.  About a week after stating that Virginia does not have enough truck parking lawmakers have decided to shut down 25 of the state’s 41 rest stops.  The move is being blamed on – surprise – the transportation budget shortfall.

Unfortunately for motorists, closing so many rest stops could result in more accidents.  After all, car and truck drivers both use Virginia rest stops along major highways to take a break when they find themselves fatigued after a long drive.  Without these convenient places to stop, drivers may be tempted to push themselves beyond their limits.

Tractor trailer drivers could really feel the pinch.  It is already difficult for truckers to find a parking spot once the sun goes down, and it is easy exceed the 2 hour limit at rest areas and be asked to move on by police.  Major truck stops tend to fill up quickly, making rest areas a stop of last resort for many truckers.

The majority of the rest stops to be closed are in the central part of Virginia, a move that is expected to save the state $12 million annually.  However, some wonder if lawmakers are being “penny wise and pound foolish” in potentially compromising highways safety to save a few dollars – all at the expense of truck drivers and motorists.