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Available truck parking in the U.S. has been a crisis for some time, and the closure of highway rest areas only compounds the issue. Some states with major budget issues have proposed the commercialization of their rest areas in order to keep open or re-open the rest areas. NATSO (National Assn of Truck Stop Owners) is dead set against the idea and is fighting it in Washington citing a law written in 1956 that bans the commercialization of rest areas. NATSO criticizes any proposed changes to the law because it will affect local businesses near freeways. NATSO of course wants to prevent any competition for the Truck Stops it represents.
The year is 2010, not 1956. Times have changed! In 1956 there were alot less trucks. Truck parking wasn't a major issue. Today it has hit critical mass in much of the country. If we can legalize abortion, marijuana, and same sex marriage then surely we can legalize the commercialization of rest areas. The benefits are obvious, RESTED TRUCK DRIVERS!
If the concern is the loss of profits to local businesses, then pass laws that the vendors operating in the rest areas come from the same state that the rest area is located. It's not rocket science. The people that are most against commercialization of rest areas are the TRUCK STOPS. Motorists can park anywhere they want, trucks cannot. The truckstops will still be full every night, they will still have business.
Fatigue is the hot topic in trucking. More truck parking will go a long ways to ensure that truck drivers can get a good night's sleep in a safe and secure location. Commericalizing rest areas will give truckers more options with services he/she needs like a hot meal and a place to rest.
Call your representitives today, repeal the 54 year old law. Legalize the Commercialization of highway rest areas.
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