Semi-Trucks Parked on Interstate Shoulders in Georgia: A Serious Safety Hazard
Every day across Georgia you see semi-trucks parked along interstate exit ramps and often on the shoulders highways. However, shoulders on the interstate, or any road, are not designed for parking. They are designed for emergency stops only.
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a tractor-trailer, learn more about your rights at our Macon Truck Accident Attorneys and Warner Robins Truck Accident Attorneys pages.
Parking a semi-truck 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 types of trucking accidents in Macon and across Georgia – fatal crash when SUV hits back of tractor-trailer parked on side of I-75 in Cobb County.
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 that arrive at truck stops late in the afternoon or evening will often find themselves without a place to park. Truck drivers have strict rules to follow regarding hours of service and required rest times so they can’t simply continue to drive while they search for available truck parking. As a result, many end up parking on the interstate shoulder, which is a dangerous and often illegal practice.
Federal and State Regulations on Truck Parking
Commercial truck drivers are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations issued by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and any equivalent state laws. These Federal Safety Rules are the minimum standards and individual states such as Georgia cannot introduce less stringent motor carrier safety rules.
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.
Even when all these precautions are followed, parking on the shoulder to rest or sleep is likely considered a violation of trucking safety regulations.
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. Accidents involving parked commercial vehicles often lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities, and they may expose the trucking company and driver to liability for violating FMCSA safety rules.
Contact Our Macon 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 Macon truck accident lawyers or our Warner Robins trucking team 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.
