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.
RICHARD
With what money? The little I make trucking pay myBill’s, live pay check to pay check just like all the under payed american blue collars in this country. WE need more parking areas. ,
Bill
Trying to park for free in a reserved spot available or not never works out, idiot driver, what is this your first day on the job? you should know this. Second, the security guard or truck stop should have called local law enforcement, sheriff, police, etc. Shame on the security guard, Shame on the truck stop and especially Shame on the driver because he/she is the same a..hole that rob me of my space after I’ve paid for it in advance and wasting my and all the other drivers precious time getting your sorryass moved out. IT NEVER WORKS !!!
Rochelle Hewitt
I agree, It’s not fair to make a tried over stressed truck driver not have a safe and easy place to park, Most company’s have a load demand to get there by on time and no DRIVE TIME LEFT IF LATE FOR ANY REASON SO SOME HAVE TO STAY OVER NIGHT. THEY NEED PARKING SPACE. TO PROTECT THEM AND US FROM TIRED AND SLEEPY DRIVERS.
Kim Blakely
If you’re tired and stressed out and tired after working for the day, then you’ve worked to many hours. So the 11/14 day is to long.
That said, no company has to give you a place to park and rest.
Gina Maria Consolini RN
Why don’t the churches let the truckers park in their lots. Lots of times they are empty. They could give a donation.
Also the church could have food for them ,maybe a shower facility.
Just an idea because i have seen truckers along the Mass. Turnpike .
Dave
Then you would have a bunch of truckers using the parking lot for a toilet.
Kim Blakely
Because insurance won’t let them even if they wanted too.
Plus the fact that you get injured you could sue them.
Jerry krage
Why didn’t this genius just pay the $15 to park there? You are not entitled to a parking spot. The truck stop does not owe you a spot. I wish there were more pay to park spots, its just a cost of the job. I see trucks parked everywhere they are not supposed to be in truck stops while they’re are plenty of pay spots left. Pay up or move on!
Bobby
FU
RICHARD
With what money? The little I make trucking pay myBill’s, live pay check to pay check just like all the under payed american blue collars in this country. WE need more parking areas. ,
Kim Blakely
You forget, since we’re truck drivers everybody owes us something 🙂
JERRY POLLOCK
Truck stop could care less.. they have forgot who made them so huge of a business… an they don’t treat drivers like they use to.. we use to be a very important piece to their business but it’s like get your fuel an go it’s sad the way if the world has changed…
Dan
The reserve parking that these truck stops are starting to do is a bunch of crack
Kim Blakely
There property to do as they wish with it?
Just because you buy fuel doesn’t mean they have to provide anything else.
Also, most drivers don’t buy anything at the truck stop they sleep at anyway.
Bigred
Okay steering wheel holder that may be true but it’s still not right hope this never happens to you have a nice day
Jonny
Yes but fuel prices are about.50 cents higher Per gallon than other truck stops tha don’t have enough parking or showers and restaurants we all buy stuff from theme is an all around business
Jeanette Hill
Why would the view of management be important on the issue of not enough parking. Management couldn’t care less if there’s no place to park..that’s the drivers problem. Management in trucking is so different than in other industries. I believe there should be a federal law mandating every state to provide a parking area every 50 miles so truckers can pull off the highway. It seems like everybody forget that truckers are human beings not machines. Everybody says thank you to truckers for delivering their product but nobody does anything about the inhumane treatment of truckers.
JERRY POLLOCK
Well said. I totally agree
RICHARD
I AGREE 100% we are NOT machines