Lack Of Rest Areas For Truckers Could Create Danger On The Interstate
MAHWAH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Danger on the interstate! Police say a shortage of rest areas has been forcing truck drivers to stop in places that may not be safe.
At night on the interstate parked trucks loom suddenly on the right shoulder; one after another. Police say it's a tragedy waiting to happen.
"We've already experienced accidents and fatalities," Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet said.
On I-287, where it dips down from New York State into northern New Jersey, long haul truckers coming from all directions use the highway to rest.
"(I) just take a break -- a half hour," Vincent Stevenson told CBS2's Lou Young.
The danger is apparent even in daylight. The road widens to three lanes and if you aren't paying attention an idle truck could be mistaken for moving traffic leading to a bad decision.
Some drivers avoid stopping there.
"No I don't (like stopping here). Number one it's noisy, number two it's dangerous," Curt Swoyer said.
Still, it may be safer than driving fatigued and designated rest stops on the interstate are few, small, and inadequate for highway commerce in a strengthening economy.
Laforet said he knows the truckers are in a bind.
"I just think there needs to be a close look from an interstate highway system to address the needs of these truckers. If my Mahwah police move them along, they're breaking the law because they have to stop to rest," he said.
Trucker Swoyer said truck rest stops are always full, that's why he and others rest on the side of the road.
"We pretty much stay tired," he said, "A lot of states don't have anywhere near enough. New Jersey is bad."