Missouri has received a $1 million federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration to build more truck parking along the Interstate 70 corridor. Why is this good news for Blue Springs and for Missouri? Because one of the leading causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Providing more spots for professional drivers to rest will not only comply with federal requirements for the grant money: it will help reduce truck driver fatigue, which, in turn, will help reduce the chances of a truck accident on I-70 and all of the routes leading to and from I-70 in Missouri.
Commercial Truck Parking Along I-70 Corridor is Important
In the past several years, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has doubled the number of parking it offers for professional truck driver along interstates. But the U.S. Department of Transportation forecasts the number of commercial trucks traveling on I-70 will double by 2030. That is why the $1 million grant is to provide for parking along this corridor.
There are currently 207 dedicated truck parking spaces along I-70. And it can be challenging for professional truckers to find a safe and convenient place to park. MoDOT is considering either expanding current facilities or building entirely new ones.
MoDOT will work with freight-hauling customers to determine the best places to provide additional parking. By providing safe and optimum locations for parking, driver fatigue can be minimized, and reducing truck accidents ultimately impacts the price of goods. Also, the location can have a large impact on a driver's ability to deliver or pick up a load on time. Better parking facilities will help reduce driver stress, and, in some cases, aggressive driving and speeding problems.
It is important for MoDOT to take advantage of areas that help keep Missouri an international freight hub. Not only does I-70 carry a large number of commercial freight, it also connects with five other major highways and to cities with river ports and large rail ports. This grant will help to benefit the economy and make Missouri roadways safer at the same time. Construction on the parking areas should begin in 2012. For more information visit MoDOT or contact DeAnne Rickabaugh or Tammy Wallace in MoDOT's Customer Relations.
Reducing Professional Truck Driver Fatigue
Efforts to reduce the number of truck and tractor trailer accidents have already proven effective. From 2004 to 2010, the number of accidents involving commercial freighters has decreased by 39 percent. This is due, in part, to DOT safety regulations that limit how long a driver can drive in a given day and how long of a rest period is required. This is called the Hours of Service rule (details can be found on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's site.)
That makes the $1 million grant from the Federal Highway System even better news. Anything that can be done to improve highway safety and help the economy is a good bet.
For more information about how driver fatigue can impact a truck accident claim, contact the Missouri truck accident lawyers at Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C.. Call 1-888-777-AUTO to schedule a free initial consultation.
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