USDOT ‘Jason’s Law’ Survey Reaffirms Nationwide Truck Parking Needs

In 2009 Hope Rivenburg, the young widow of murdered trucker Jason Rivenburg, vowed to change the perils of the  truck parking shortage by standing up and fighting for legislation, allowing more safe truck parking.

August 21st 2015 Hope Rivenburg is honored and is the first to sign the Pledge and Commitment, addressing the safety and improvement of truck parking, followed by the Deputy Secretary and the newly formed National Coalition on Truck Parking

People everywhere, including trucking, said the possibility for a bill to pass creating funding for more parking could not be accomplished. Her relentless struggle has proved them wrong.

There were many obstacles along the way, as are so many worth while causes, and she could have easily given up, but she didn’t. She not only didn’t give up, but Hope was able to rally the trucking community around her to ensure the goal of federal funding for more safe truck parking.
The murder of Hope’s trucker husband, Jason Rivenburg, was vowed not to be in vain.

The day long awaited for… The results of the DOT Truck Parking Survey
Friday August 21, 2015,  an exciting, satisfying, and emotional day for Hope Rivenburg, who was the focal point of the truck parking survey announcement and signing a pledge of commitment and support in Washington DC. The newly created National Coalition on Truck Parking and DOT reps, had their official briefing and truck parking commitment to support the need for more truck parking. Hope Rivenburg, DOT reps and stakeholder groups all openly signed the pledge, forming the newly created National Coalition on Truck Parking.

Participating in the announcement were federal Department of Transportation representatives: Deputy Secretary Victor Mendez, Federal Highway Safety Administrator Gregory Nadeau and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Acting Administrator Scott Darling, all agreeing that if it wasn’t for Hope Rivenburg none of this would have ever happened.

The official signing represented the pledge and commitment to resolve and address the safety of our highways, especially our nations truck drivers. The announcement and outward display supported the results of the national truck-parking survey authorized by the MAP-21 highway bill.

Stakeholders expected to be very active in the newly formed coalition include FHWA, FMCSA the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Trucking Associations, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

Video of Jason’s Law Truck Parking Announcement, Signing, and Pledge

The 6 year Jason’s Law Time line

There have been many supporters of Jason’s Law, including Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY)  who first introduced the bill Jason Law to the house on April 28th 2009.
The movement for more safe truck parking  spread throughout the trucking community, leading up to a series of National Call in Days to Washington Senators and Congressman.

Jasons Law Day of Recognition and Call to Action June 28th
Grass Roots Movement for Jasons Law opens Senate Committee Doors
The Crusade for Jasons Law and Safe Truck Parking Continues
Truckers Unite for 2nd National Call in day for Jasons Law
2011 National Call in Day For Jason’s Law Set For June 23rd

Jason’s Law Truck Parking Survey

Hopes’ courageous quest and fearlessness continued even though the naysayers, ironically, many of whom were supporters, just not believers, continued. I remember one gentleman in particular,  a strong supporter of Jason’s Law and extremely active in trucking issues, emphatically said to me privately, “ It will never happen, you need lobbyists and deep pockets to get things done in Washington. Politicians want to know, “what’s in it for me” ”

So without deep pockets, but instead a burning desire and memory of her murdered husband and the 3 children (all under 3) that were left behind, Hope Rivenburg did her own lobbying, and on her dime, knocking on doors in Washington explaining Jason’s Law, her story, and the vision to save trucker lives by allowing them a safe haven to rest.

Hope Rivenburg- Winner of the “Making a Difference Award” at the 2011 Truck Driver Social Media Convention

By now, Hope Rivenburg had the support of thousands, and in 2011 she was awarded the “Making a Difference Award” at the First Truck Driver Social Media Convention. .
Watch the video of Hope Rivenburg Receiving her award

Although momentum continued to grow, there were still many who said that getting Jason’s Law passed would be an impossible goal, however in 2012 Jason’s Law and the need for more safe truck parking was included as part of MAP 21, Section 1401 of the Transportation Bill. It was labeled a priority. It was a victory.

Victory for Hope Rivenburg and Truckers- Jason’s Law in 2012 Transportation Bill

“The purpose of Section 1401 of MAP-21, more popularly known as “Jason’s Law,” was to address the commercial motor vehicle parking shortage at public and private facilities along the National Highway
System (NHS)

Jason’s Law directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a survey and a comparative assessment to,

p vi ( 6 0f 180) Executive Summary

1.Evaluate the capability of each State to provide adequate parking and rest facilities for commercial motor vehicles engaged in Interstate transportation;
2.Assess the volume of commercial motor vehicle traffic in each State
3.Develop a system of metrics to measure the adequacy of commercial motor vehicle parking facilities in each State.”

Hope Rivenburg however, did not want to wait for the  authorized Map 21 Federal Parking Study to be conducted, so she gathered a group of passionate and knowledgeable people shortly after the authorized DOT study was included in the Transportation bill. They aided her in conducting her OWN truck parking the survey.   Special thanks to Desiree Wood who dedicated hundreds of hours aiding in the design, gathering of data, results and conclusions.
The survey and results were meticulous and detailed, so much so, that they were given to the DOT and were included in their Federal truck parking survey p 3 Jason’s Law Movement

Hope Rivenburg Truck Parking Survey Results

Then, On June 26^th 2014, 30 year old OTR trucker Michael Boeglin of Ferdinand, Ind. was shot and killed in his truck as he parked at an abandoned building waiting to pick up a load from the nearby ThyssenKrupp steel plant.
Trucker shooting rekindles plea to officials for more Safe Truck Parking

A radio show on AskTheTrucker ‘Live, “Truck Parking Shortage- Drivers at Risk,”  soon followed the death of Michael Boeglin.  Hope Rivenburg, Desiree Wood, widow Ashley Boeglin, and David Clark discussed Michael and Jasons murders and the need for more safe truck parking.

In the words of Hope Rivenburg at the August 21st announcement of the DOT Jason’s Law survey results and National Coalition on Truck Parking,

” ….  There have been many drivers killed before Jason and many since Jason due to the lack of truck parking… we have educated the general public and gained support for safe truck parking. As we finish this step of the process, I look forward to the next step to correct this problem.” ….Hope Rivenburg

 Please Show your support and appreciation to Hope Rivenburg
Support
Hope Rivenburg is a single mom of three and has paid her own expenses.  She has made multiple trips a year to DC and continues to speak with numerous  agencies and trucking advocacy organizations.  Your generous support is appreciated.
Send your contribution to Jason’s Law, PO Box 121, Fultonham, NY 12017.

The Truth About Trucking network, including AskTheTrucker.com and AskTheTrucker ‘Live’ on Blog Talk Radio, have been supporting and reporting Jason’s Law since 2009. There are numerous articles on this website which follow the timeline of events, including the struggles which Hope Rivenburg endured in order to ensure that the Truck Parking Shortage would make national awareness and eventually be resolved. It has. Thank you Hope Rivenburg, an inspiration to so many.

Radio shows on AskTheTrucker “Live” -Jason’s Law:

May 17^th 2009 Jason’s Law HR 2156
Feb 19, 2010 … Congressman Paul Tonko on Jason’s Law 02/18 by Aubrey Allen …
August 19, 2010  When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll –
Nov 4, 2010 … Hope Rivenburg joins us in the first segment for an update discussion on the recent New York State rest area closings protest
Jun 2, 2011 Jason’s Law Update with Congressman Paul Tonko
Sep 13, 2012 Congressman Paul Tonko explains truck parking funding
Jul 16, 2014 … Truck Parking Shortage: Drivers at Risk

Radio Shows on the Women Truckers Network- Jason’s Law

Feb 27, 2013  Improving Jason’s Law: Identifying Shippers and Receivers
Apr 9, 2013   2013 Truck Parking Survey: Hope Rivenburg

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Technorati Tags: Congressman Paul Tonko, Deputy Secretary Victor Mendez, DOT, Federal Highway Safety Administrator Gregory Nadeau, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Acting Administrator Scott Darling, hope rivenburg, jason rivenburg, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, making a difference award, MAP 21, National Coalition on Truck Parking, Transportation Bill, truck parking survey, Us Department of Transportation