Can Semi-Trucks Park on the Side of the Interstate in Georgia?
Every day across Georgia you see semi-trucks parked along interstate exit ramps and often on the shoulders of highways. However, shoulders on the interstate, or any road, are not designed for parking. They are designed for emergency stops only.
Parking a semi-truck or tractor-trailer along the shoulder of the interstate creates a dangerous hazard for other motorists. These parked trucks can obstruct the view of other drivers on curves, force other vehicles to veer into another lane, and lead to severe or fatal collisions. Unfortunately, we see these crashes across Georgia, including rear-end collisions when a vehicle strikes a tractor-trailer stopped on the shoulder
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a tractor-trailer, learn more about your rights and how our Georgia truck accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for your injuries and future medical expenses.
Why Do Truck Drivers Park on Interstate Shoulders?
The main reason is simple: truck stops and rest areas are running out of space for semi-trucks to park.
Truck drivers who arrive at truck stops late in the afternoon or evening often find there’s nowhere left to park. Because drivers must comply with Hours of Service rest requirements, they can’t always keep driving while searching for a spot. So, sometimes they end up stopping on the interstate shoulder which is a dangerous, and often illegal, practice.
Is it Legal for Semi-Trucks to Park on the Interstate in Georgia?
In general, commercial trucks should not park on the shoulder unless it’s a true emergency or the truck is forced to stop due to traffic, a breakdown, or another safety-related issue. When a truck must stop, federal rules require specific warning steps, especially on highways and interstates, to reduce the risk of a serious rear-end collision.
Even when warning precautions are followed, stopping on the shoulder to rest or sleep can create serious safety and compliance issues depending on the circumstances. Proving whether the required warning steps were followed often comes down to a complete and thorough Georgia truck accident investigation.
Federal and State Regulations on Truck Parking
Commercial truck drivers are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and any equivalent state laws. Georgia also enforces commercial motor vehicle safety rules, but states generally cannot adopt standards that are less strict than the federal baseline.
The Law on Parking Semi-Trucks on the Interstate
Federal Regulation 49 CFR 392.22 directly addresses the issue of tractor-trailers stopped on the shoulders of highways and interstates. Under the federal regulation, stopping a commercial motor vehicle on the shoulder of the interstate is permitted if the following conditions are followed:
- Activate hazard lights immediately when stopping for any reason other than a traffic stop.
- Keep hazard lights on until warning devices are placed on the traffic side of the truck.
- Place warning devices within 10 minutes of stopping.
- Approved warning devices include:
- Three bi-directional reflective triangles
- Red flags, fuses, or liquid-burning flares
- Placement of warning devices:
- One at 10 feet on the traffic side of the truck
- One at 100 feet behind the truck in the direction of oncoming traffic
- One at 100 feet ahead of the truck in the opposite direction of traffic
- If the truck is stopped within 500 feet of a hill, curve, or obstruction, an additional warning device must be placed 100–500 feet away in the direction of the obstruction.
- The warning devices must remain in place until the truck leaves the shoulder.
The Real Risk of Shoulder Parking
Tractor-trailers stopped on the shoulder, especially without proper lighting or warning triangles, pose a serious danger to approaching drivers. Crashes involving parked commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries or death, and they can expose the driver and motor carrier to liability for violating FMCSA warning and safety requirements.
Contact Our Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident caused by a semi-truck parked on the shoulder or another form of negligent truck operation, contact our Georgia truck accident lawyers at (478) 239-2780.
Your consultation is free, and your case will receive the utmost attention and care. At Brodie Law Group, we’re dedicated to helping trucking accident victims across Georgia recover the compensation and peace of mind they deserve.
