Parking on the On-Off Ramps

Been a few times that I've come through Memphis headed to the river port in Little Rock and had to pull off. Rather find a spot than drive half asleep. Even if it was on the ramp. Just not enough spots to stop between the West Memphis scales and Little Rock. I found a few lots big enough, but they either had "no large trucks" signs or the owners waited untill I was about to pull out and asked me not to park there. Never had them wake me up and they were usually pretty nice about it.

It is dangerous though,and sometimes the angle is extreme and your sleeping almost standing up. Doesn't seem like anyone is too worrried about providing more parking for us though. More and more pull offs are being closed.

 

So what are you guys supposed to do when you're way past and over your hours and you know you need to pull over and sleep because you're coming to a scale or DOT and the rest stop/truck stop is full? I dont really understand it all. I dont see a problem with it.... As for people running into the trucks.... well what the hell, if they cant see a 70x8x13 object sitting along the side of the ramp, do you really think they should be driving PERIOD?!?!?!? Sounds like thats not your problem.

The only think I dont like about all of this is I went out with my boss one time and it was about 2am and I had to pee (you know me, Im a woman! lol) so we pulled into this rest area and it was packed full... so he pulled off on the ramp to get back on the highway and behind sat atleast 20 other trucks with their lights on. He told me to "pop a squat" beside the truck. haha. I asked him if anyone would see me, he said "nah" ... well sure enough people where blowing their horns and all... I climbed back in the truck and the boss was practically rolling on the ground laughing. lol. So, my advice would be if you're parking on the ramp and theres trucks behind DO NOT "POP A SQUAT!!!!"

 

that right thar's funny

If you are running over hours you better know what you are doing well enough to know where you can park before you get to that scale or know how to get around it. There is a reason there is usually truck stops on each side of the scale houses ya know.

Not that would condone doing such things....

 

Yes, this is what I don't understand. If ya'll ARE REQUIRED to stop at certain times, than law enforcement should be doing everything in their power to help you obey the law, right?



Does anyone know what the fine for such offense is?

 

The fine is different in every state.

The reason that law enforcement does not like for parking on ramps when you run out of hours is simple. They believe it to be poor planning on the drivers part. They feel the driver should shut down with plenty of time to spare.

Problem is, the companies want the drivers to drive the maximum number of miles allowed in the 11 hour period.

The two just don't agree.

 

The fine in Arkansas is $185. I can understand that it is not safe to park on off-ramps. The times I have done it, I move to the on-ramp. Less chance of a full speed idiot smacking the back of my truck. Still, it is a last resort, and for a short stop only.

Parking has been an issue for big trucks for a long time. Everybody wants their freight, just not the trucks.

 

Isn't that the truth.

 

I only have done it once in 5 years.. I see no issue with it personally... Trucks have to park somewhere.. The point is would you want the guy out on the road falling asleep or pull over soon as he can and get some sleep before he kills a few kids? Indiana has some new renegade kids as cops that will write you a ticket in a heartbeat for parking on the ramp.. The old timers would not even bother you..

 

They already have a name for this disease, its called the "California syndrome"...

 

Amen to that.