The trucking industry’s tensions over adequate parking can be seen as a backdrop to an incident Friday in Oklahoma that left a truck driver in the hospital after being shot by a security guard at a truck stop.
According to several local news reports, the incident took place at a TA Truck Center in Oklahoma City, near the intersection of South Council Road and Interstate 40. The shooting occurred in a section of the truck stop with reserved truck parking.
Sgt. Brad Gilmore of the Oklahoma City Police Department, quoted by local news outlets, described the incident as occurring when the security guard for the truck stop was checking the reserved spots. “Apparently the security guard was out there checking that when a disagreement happened,” Gilmore was quoted as saying. “A physical altercation took place. The security guard discharged his firearm.”
The driver, who was not identified in the news stories, was taken to a local hospital. Charges were not filed against the security guard, though Gilmore indicated evidence could be presented to the local district attorney, who could pursue further action.
The report on the shooting from local television station KWTV quoted a truck driver on the scene named Jimmy Combs. His comments seem to sum up the issue with parking that truck drivers face every day.
“That’s pretty severe force when you’re taking somebody down for parking in somebody’s parking spot,” Combs was quoted as saying. “Most of the time long-haul truck drivers are tired. They run eight, 10, 12 hours and when they want to go to sleep, they go to sleep. You wake them up, I mean if I get woke up, I’m kind of in a bad mood.”
In last year’s annual survey of the biggest issues facing trucking from ATRI, the research arm of the American Trucking Associations, drivers put parking as the No. 3 issue. A year earlier, it was second. In the 2018 survey, management listed parking as the ninth biggest concern. In the most recent survey, it didn’t place in the top 10 in the view of management.
Steven
Barney Fife rent a cop should try driving a semi OTR.After one week he would shoot himself.Im pulling for the driver.
Steven
More trucks on the road than places to park puts us truck drivers in a very dangerous situation.This country would starve without us.More rest areas and truck stops needs to be built in every state.Thats the least the government and investors should do.Driving a semi is dangerous enough.We get all the blame but none of the thanks.I’m pulling for the driver who got shot.Stupid rent a cop
Stanley J Waddle
I think that their should not be any reserved parking spot for no trucking company at all and if the trucks are an a spot let them be while. Because they need their sleep like anyone else.thankyou an God bless
Jennie
This. So much this. There’s no reason people should be charging for overnight parking.
Reba P
@ Jeff Page; I am in total agreement on your statement, ANYONE including so called Enforcement, Congress, Senators, FMCSA, OSHA,ETC should get out there and do the tasks we do everyday. They don’t realize just how much pressure is on our shoulders by their uppity uppity rules and regulations, it’s bad enough truck companies get control happy and begin telling how to do your job when they’re not the ones behind the wheel. My opinion and challenge to those the stuck up walking encyclopedias…. put your$$$$ where your holier than thou mouth and brain is and get out there and do it yourself, I bet you’d pee ur pants in fear b4 the days even over and then you can shut up!!!!
Daniel Bailey
I have seen it all. I drove local for ten years never seen that side of it. Now OTR for eight years no respect for truck drivers. From four wheelers wanting to run you off the road to security guards pushing limits.. No rules to protect the driver.. The one’s who set the rules got no idea what it’s really like out there the real deal.. Hope the Driver makes a full recovery.. Sad real sad..
Ray
Just came from otr to local . That’s the one thing i haven’t experienced.
I know not to park without paying if it’s reserved or paid parking , because i will be awakened and asked to move if that is the case.
I feel for this driver .
Don’t know the full story , much is missing.
Jeff page
Surveys say!!!!! Thats whats wrong with the FMCSA …they go by what they see on paper and not real life struggles we have by trying to make a living by ” what surveys say”.
Each member of the FMCSA needs to obtain a CDL and try living under the rules and regulations they’ve implemented……since not a single one of them….not even the director has even so much as even sat in a CMV.
Ive watched plenty of episodes of House…does that qualify me to be a surgeon!!!!!!
Reba P
@ Jeff Page; I am in total agreement on your statement, ANYONE including so called Enforcement, Congress, Senators, FMCSA, OSHA,ETC should get out there and do the tasks we do everyday. They don’t realize just how much pressure is on our shoulders by their uppity uppity rules and regulations, it’s bad enough truck companies get control happy and begin telling how to do your job when they’re not these behind the wheel. My opinion and challenge to those the stuck up walking encyclopedias…. put your$$$$ where your holier than thou mouth and brain is and get out there and do it yourself, I bet you pee ur pants in fear b4 the days even over and then you can shut up!!!!
Alan Stephenson
We have problems over here (England) parking, the motorway services stations charge over £30/£40 per night, and security is non existent, regularly being broken into, or diesel stolen, I know of a few drivers carrying shotguns (which is illegal), of course you can always take your chances in laybys, but you are on your own, unless you’re parked in a dangerous position, it’s against the law to disturb a driver’s rest period, maybe that should be enforced in every country.