Trucking Advocate and Activist Allen Smith of TruthAboutTrucking.com : Articles Current News and Information for CDL Truck Drivers and Truck Driving Students…"Raising the Standards of the Trucking Industry"
The Big Rigs CD – Jason Law Fund has been established by songwriters, David Ayers and Barry Allen in order to assist Hope Rivenburg and her children, Joshua, Logan and Hezekiah, and her quest to promote the passing of bill H.R. 2156, better known as Jason’s Law.
Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio discussed the release of the new trucking music CD, “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll” earlier this evening on the popular Blog Talk Radio program. The two hour broadcast featured special guests:
David Ayers
David Ayers – An award-winning songwriter through the Georgia Music Industry Association. He has served on the executive board of the GMIA and has worked with beginning songwriters at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. He is a member of ASCAP and the NSAI and is a prolific songwriter, and has developed the reputation for being the “country Christmas specialist” throughout the entire metro-Atlanta area.
Barry Allen
Barry Allen – A well-known songwriter, publisher and songplugger in Nashville, TN and is a member of the CMA, BMI and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He regularly volunteers at the NSAI which offers training & education to aspiring songwriters and advocates for the interests of songwriting professionals in Washington, D.C.
Hope Rivenburg
Hope Rivenburg – With the help of Congressman Paul Tonko, Hope has brought the need for safe and secure parking areas for our nation’s truck drivers to the attention of the media. Her works and dedication toward the passing of bill H. R. 2156, better known as Jason’s Law, is named after her husband, Jason who was killed on the side of the road when he parked his rig in an abandoned gas station due to the lack of safe parking in the area. Her plight led to David and Barry penning the song, “Say a Prayer for Jason” on their new CD release.
Richie Acosta
Richie Acosta – Bodybuilder and professional truck driver, Richie Acosta maintains several websites for all truck enthusiasts around the world, and his rig is used as the main cover of the Big Rigs CD. His East Coast Large Cars Annual Truck Show has become the fastest growing truck show on the east coast.
For information on how you can help to support Jason’s Law and the Rivenburg family, please visit the Big Rigs CD – Jason Law Fund.
Listen to the stories behind the songs from our Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio show:
Press Release by Truth About Trucking LLC : For Immediate Release
8-16-2010
Trucking Anthem Song and CD title, “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll” joins trucking radio internet host Allen Smith for a “Live” CD Release Party
Internet radio show host, Allen Smith, of Truth About Trucking “Live,” joins forces with song writers David Ayers and Barry Allen of Allen & Ayers Productions, to promote and celebrate the release of “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll,” one of the most powerful and influential trucking CD’s to be released in decades.
Ayers and Allen have been seen on Fox News, CNN, The NY Times, Cox news, as well as numerous other media, and will be on the air “Live” on August 18th to share the release of their CD. The eye catching title of the CD was created after the hit song, “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll,” which debuted in April of 2008 during the famous trucking fuel protest convoy to Washington DC. The song has since been played at many other trucking rallies nationwide and has been referred to as the “Truckers Anthem.” Not since songs like “Convoy” and “Teddy Bear” has a trucking song attracted so many people from so many walks of life, supporting and cheering for truck drivers as people everywhere have come to the realization that “without trucks, America stops.”
The trucking industry has undergone very dramatic changes over the years, including: deregulation, laws and mandates, CDL training requirements, EPA regulations, and of course increased fuel prices. The new CD addresses many of these changes and how they affect the life and lifestyle of the modern day truck driver. Song artist, John Johnson, has been able to capture the emotion and feelings of drivers through the lyrics of Ayers and Allen, and also through his own powerful and passionate voice. The diversity of music on “When the Big Rig’s Don’t Roll” includes country, blues, spiritual, and blue grass, combing trucking issues, romance, and humor while representing real aspects of modern life and experiences.
Another song on the CD, “Say a Prayer for Jason”, has become almost an overnight success as it addresses the drastic need for more available safe truck parking. The song is about slain truck driver Jason Rivenburg and his forced decision to park at an abandoned gas station in order to rest for the evening. Jason was then murdered for a mere seven dollars and left behind a wife, newborn twins (born shortly after his death) and a 2 year old son Joshua. His wife Hope has been relentlessly pursuing the passing of Jason’s Law which was originally introduced to the House by Congressman Paul Tonko of New York State as bill HR 2156. Senator Charles Schumer, also of NY, presented a similar bill to the senate, S970.
Jason’s Law will ensure the continuous development and support of more safe and adequate truck parking by introducing a 6 year pilot program totaling 120 million dollars, accessed from funds already existing from collected fuel tax dollars.
This song and the movement of Jason’s Law has accomplished something that nothing else has ever been able to accomplish within the trucking industry: the ability for all aspects and entities of trucking to join together and agree in unison upon something; The need for more safe and adequate truck parking.
The ATA, OOIDA, the OOU, and the Teamsters, along with trucking websites and blogs, and drivers from all over the country, have united in one voice, expressing their desire for the Passing of Jason’s Law.
David Ayers, Barry Allen, and song artist John Johnson will be attending the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas during the last weekend in August, with fans everywhere anticipating a live performance on Friday night August 27th, 2010 by John Johnson.
On Wednesday, August 18th, 2010, Allen Smith of Truth About Trucking Live, will be airing a live CD Release Party for “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll.” Guests will include song writers David Ayers and Barry Allen, Hope Rivenburg, and Richie Acosta, who supplied the enormously popular front cover image of the CD.
Guest and callers will be able to interact live through the internet and via their phones, being able to ask questions, win FREE CD’s, and listen to the stories behind the scenes of this legendary CD release, “When the Big Rig’s Don’t Roll.”
NOTE: National Call in Day for Jason’s Law is September 15th, 2010
WE will be posting about the CD Jason’s Law Drive which will be starting SOON and will end the day of the National Call in day of SEPTEMBER 15th
During the Jason’s law CD Drive, a large portion of the proceeds will be donated to Hope Rivenburg and her 3 children, as well as towards the efforts of the passing of Jason’s Law! We’ll be writing more about this and will have more about it on the CD release part show on Wednesday evening; 8:30 PM ET 8/18/10
A recent article posted in the Newspaper.com stated that the Department of Transportation was promoting women to enter a career as a professional CDL driver: “US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to put more women behind the wheels of big-rigs.”
However, after researching, we have found that the programs being funded are targeted for women at the college graduate level.
According toThe announcement, “U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement with the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International to encourage women to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math – while pursuing careers in transportation.” This program does not appear to be targeted towards CDL professional truck drivers who are considered “unskilled” labor by the Department of Labor.
Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, Ray LaHood announced at a Women’s Small Business Day hosted by the Department of Transportation (DOT), that he would like to see more women in the transportation industry by expanding an existing intern program.
According to a recent press release , the program is one of several internships and fellowship programs offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation for both high school and college age girls. The expanded effort supports President Obama’s mission and the work of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Although the idea of encouraging more women into the transportation industry is to be applauded, the thought of using transportation funds for this, rather than for the repair of roads and bridges or securing more safe truck parking ( such as Jason’s Law, HR 2156 and S970) must be questioned.
Recently we were told by a staffer in the Highways and Transit subcommittee that funding was low and that this is a main reason that Jason’s Law has been sitting in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. So where then, are these funds coming from which are being used to promote more women entering the trucking industry? I would think that we would be more interested in repairing the roads and protecting our “unskilled women” who are already in the industry driving big trucks.
This does lead up to another problem which should be mentioned:
There is and has been a strong recruitment movement going on via organizations, truck driving schools, trucking companies, government work force placement programs and grants and incentives, in order to encourage more women to enter the “unskilled” level of the trucking industry as a CDL driver.
This is a major concern of ours and others alike, as the CDL training going on within trucking companies has not been one to be admired. Often women are not told what to realistically expect when entering a CDL training program, including the fact that they will be living in a truck for 3 months with a total stranger, the trainer.
Many times the requirements for drivers to be trainers are no more than the “desire for them to be one.”
The fact that there are no strict guidelines set up by many of the companies has caused numerous problems for trainees, including the lack of a way for trainees to safely remove themselves from situations which could either cause emotional stress or even worse, bodily harm.
There has been a tremendous increase in women entering the field of truck driving, and yet the number of actual women drivers has not significantly increased, still sitting at five to six percent of total drivers. So where are all those increased “numbers of women” entering into trucking that have been recruited? Why isn’t the increased figure of women drivers entering matching the number of actual drivers? The main reason is . . . that they do not stay for very long, many not making it past the training process. This is a clear sign that something is wrong in the way that many trucking companies conduct their CDL training programs.
So I suggest this to everyone promoting the advancement and promotion of women entering the trucking industry:
Create a program to protect the women that you have already encouraged to enter the industry, before you try to promote more women to come in.
I challenge every organization, company, or government program to create a data base of driver statistics which includes all women they have successfully recruited into the industry as a CDL driver, and then maintain records to follow up with them in order to determine if they are still driving, and if not . . . WHY?
Would this not make more sense? I for one, would like to know why more and more women are entering the trucking industry, and yet their numbers are not going up?
I believe if you are reading this that you would like to know too.
Truck drivers will soon be seeing a new music CD filled with songs that focus on today’s trucking issues. Issues such as the DAC report, the high cost of diesel fuel and the general life of a trucker and the challenges they face. Not since the days of Red Sovine and C. W. McCall, has there been a true-blooded music CD generated for the men and women of trucking. Songwriters David Ayers and Barry Allen are about to change all of that.
Having swept the internet with their smash hit, “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll“, the CD of the same title is expected to be released within the following weeks. With John Johnson performing the vocals, David and Barry wanted to put together a new, all original CD that would honor our nation’s truckers and shed light on the work and struggles that they endure on a daily basis. The talented songwriters,having won numerous awards, “When the Big Rigs Don’t Roll” has been played at rallies in Washington, D.C., New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Florida and all across the USA and has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Cox News papers and internationally and is still broadcast through out the trucking industry. Top Nashville music executives have referred to the song as an “Anthem comparable to the late, great hit “CONVOY” by C. W. McCall.”
One of the songs on the CD will be, “Say a Prayer for Jason“, a song dedicated to slain truck driver, Jason Rivenburg and in support of Jason’s Law, bill H. R. 2156. Listeners of the Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio show had the opportunity to hear, for the first time anywhere, this moving musical melody, paying tribute to one of trucking’s fallen. The show aired live on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 and Truth About Trucking “LIVE” was given exclusive permission by Allen & Ayers Productions to share a few of the songs on the soon to be released trucking CD. “Say a Prayer for Jason” and “The Trucking Brand” were two of the songs broadcast live for the first time and can only be heard on Truth About Trucking “LIVE.”
The show, “The Truck Driver Shortage Fabrication“, also provided an update on Jason’s Law as explained to Truth About Trucking, LLC by Mr. Todd Kohr, a staff member on the Highway and Transit Sub Committee: A perfect timing for “Say a Prayer for Jason” to be heard. This broadcast focused on how current CDL training procedures, CSA 2010 and cross border trucking all relate and help to create the so-called truck driver shortage. As one of our most listened to shows to date, listeners were able to hear for the first time, “Say a Prayer for Jason” and were advised about the news of the upcoming CD.
Since the 1970’s, truckers have not had a music CD produced and dedicated solely for them . . . I would say that it’s about time. We’ll keep you posted on the release date and remember . . . you heard it here first!
Yesterday June 28, 2010 marked a day in history for the National call-in day to support Jason’s Law and the need for more safe and adequate truck parking. People from all over the country were calling their Senators and Representatives in Washington, DC, urging them to support HR 2156 and to co-sponsor the bill.
The designated day to call Washington was designed to move the bill HR 2156 out of committee and passed into law. This much needed bill would begin a targeted pilot program which would address the lack of safe long term truck parking facilities which continues to compromise highway safety within the United States. Lack of parking has been a major complaint for truckers for many years, and now with a sluggish economy, many more parking facilities are closing down, increasing the need for more government awareness and concern for the problem.
What many do not realize is that the lack of truck parking facilities poses an extreme danger to the general public as well as professional truck drivers. The problem with inadequate truck parking effects everyone driving the highways:
1 Drivers are allowed to drive just so many hours per day ( Hours of Service Regulations set by Federal Government) Knowing this, a driver must plan their trip accordingly in order to satisfy the law, not exceeding their driving limits. Note that this is strictly enforced and a driver who violates HOS receives a citation. With the new laws of CSA 2010, these violations can prove to be even more damaging, to both the driver and the carrier, as all violations will be recorded and maintained in a database for safety evaluations. If a driver can not find parking to rest, he/she not only risks receiving a violation, but more importantly risks the lives of those sharing the highways with them.
2 A truck drivers job is demanding, and the lack of rest can cause serious ramifications in regards to highway safety. If a driver plans his/her trip and there is no adequate parking available in either the rest area or truck stop, he/she is forced to move on, many times driving extremely fatigued.
How ironic, that in a year when the FMCSA is calling for the demand of improved highway safety by implementing CSA 2010, and the new call for Sleep Apnea testing to ensure that drivers are not driving tired due to insufficient quality sleep, a law which would improve highway safety by creating truck parking and ensuring truckers adequate rest, is not already placed as a priority within the scheme of “safety.”
The fact that truck drivers many times are forced to drive fatigued because of a lack of parking is ludicrous and not at all in alignment with the Federal government Campaign for highway safety. This poses a huge risk to the general public as a driver falling asleep at the wheel can prove to be fatal for the other vehicle.
3 Truckers many times are forced to pull over on the side of a road to rest, many times on an exit or entrance ramp, causing extreme highway safety risks for themselves and the general public.
4 Finally, drivers are forced many times to park in unsafe surroundings in order to get their much needed rest. This was the case for Jason Rivenburg, who parked in an abandoned gas station which resulted in his violent death. Jason was an open target for predators as he parked in an isolated area and was shot and killed before he could make his early morning delivery.
Yesterday’s calling campaign to Washington was a success as supporters from the trucking industry stood together and joined forces to get HR 21 56 passed.
The next stage of this campaign needs to be the spreading of awareness to the general public who are unaware of the extreme safety risks they are subjected to on our nations highways. Although the trucking industry represents millions of truckers and transportation employees, it is the general public of the highways that must be aware of the dangers and to also be in align to support the passing of this bill. They must realize that a tired driver unable to stop for rest could be driving along side of them on the highway.
We personally, once again, made numerous call to the representatives in our state of Florida explaining the dire need for Jason’s Law. We also called all 4 offices in the committees which the bill appeared to be “stuck” in, namely the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
The most helpful person among all of our phone calls was Todd Kohr from the office of Jim Oberstar, who is the Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Although the answers to our questions that we asked were not encouraging, the honesty and transparency was appreciated.
According to Todd Kohr, professional staff member for the Highways and Transit subcommittee, he stated that the reason the bill is not moving is because there are similarities to what Jason’s Law is attempting to achieve in another broader bill, the Surface Transportation Authorization Act.
Now, here is the problem:
When the need for truck parking is attached to another bill, Surface Transportation Authorization Act, and many other transportation needs are also attached, the allocated funds would be dependent upon the other proposals within the bill. This has been the problem for many years now when we look at the track record for providing funds for long term truck parking. Truck ParkingFunding gets lost on the shuffle of “other interests”
Todd Kohr also mentioned another Pilot Program, The Truck Parking Facilities Pilot Program which is under SAFETEA LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act) which was awarded 25 million over 6 years for truck parking ( THROUGH 2009).
USDOT recently released 6 million dollars to 5 states from this Pilot Program funding: Tennessee, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Oregon.
As we mentioned to Mr Kohr, The Truck Parking Facilities Pilot Program, is a mere drop in the bucket in comparison to the bill, Jason’s Law, which will also be a Pilot Program for meeting the additional long term truck parking needs, but will be 120 million dollars over a 6 year period. Oddly enough, the 120 million dollars for Jason’s Law has been criticized by many, stating that 20 million dollars per year is not enough to cure the deficit of truck parking facilities. If so, then The Truck Parking Facilities Pilot Program, only awarding 6.25 million dollars per year, surely will not even come close to meeting the needs for this huge truck parking problem . The other broad bill for transportation, Surface Transportation Authorization Act, which on paper includes addressing truck parking, doesn’t even define ( nor could Mr Kohr tell us in dollars) a predetermined amount of funds which would be allocated for the severe shortage of truck parking.
Our suggestion to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, is to seriously reconsider the safety needs of the general public and the professional truck driver by passing Jason’s Law as it’s own bill, thus securing allocated funding for the drastically needed truck parking facilities which are causing havoc among drivers along with compromising the lives of those sharing the highways with 80,000 lb trucks.
It is only when Jason’s Law, HR 2156 is passed into law, that the truck parking problems will be adequately addressed and targeted funding will be used for this purpose and this purpose only. It’s obvious now, after more than 10 years of addressing the shortage of truck parking, that attaching it to a “broader bill” just does not work.
Monday June 28th, 2010, the trucking community stands in unison together for their support of Jason’s Law
With all the issues existing within the trucking industry today, none have brought together a more unified atmosphere among truckers, bloggers, organizations, social media participants, and radio shows, than the desire to see the much needed bill, Jason’s Law (H.R. 2156 and S971) passed into law.
The Jason’s Law bill will allocate 120 million dollars over a 6 year period to ensure that safety improvements are made ( including SAFE adequate truck parking) for rest areas and truck stops.
Hope Rivenburg, the widow of Jason Rivenburg for whom this bill is named, has made Monday June 28th, 2010 as the day for everyone to call their Senators and Representative and strongly urge them to Support Jason’s Law. The trucking community has strongly supported this day in unison together.
As you most likely know, Jason Rivenburg was murdered as he parked to rest in an abandoned gas station because he could not find safe suitable truck parking for his early morning delivery. Adequate and safe truck parking has been a major concern of truckers for many years, with promises in the past made to remedy the problem.
We are now all standing together to ensure that something be done and that the death of fellow truck driver Jason Rivenburg has not been in vain.
Jason’s widow Hope, has made numerous trips to Washington, urging lawmakers and government officials to support Jason’s Law. In a year when highway safety has taken a significant increased priority among government agencies, this bill should be 100% supported and should have been passed by now.
Hope and Congressman Paul Tonko, who is the originator of the bill HR 2156, has also made numerous pleas on Truth About Trucking “Live”, Allen Smith’s blog talk radio show. Hope and Congressman Tonko have also been guests discussing Jason’s Law on TruckStar Radio with Daniel Audet.
Hope was recently a guest on Road Dog Trucking Radio on the Lockridge Report, sharing her story and urging listeners to support this day. Many of the other shows on Road Dog Radio have also made numerous mentions of the June 28th Call to Action, strongly supporting this day and urging their listeners to take action.
Organizations are supporting this badly needed bill, including OOIDA, who on June 24th released a National Call to Action to their members for the participation of the June 28th Calling Campaign to Washington.
The Teamsters and ATA have also supported the need for Jason’s Law.
Now we must ensure that the government officials whom we’ve elected into office, do their part in recognizing the need for HR 2156, Jason’s Law. For some reason, this bill has been “stuck” in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. James Oberstar of Minnesota is the chair and John Mica of Florida is the ranking Republican.
The Subcommittee that appears to be “sitting on this bill” is the Highways and Transit.
Highways and Transit is chaired by Pete Defazio of Oregon and John Duncan Jr. of Tennessee is the ranking Republican.
Ironically, John Duncan has recently written an article about the dangers of distracted driving, obviously concerned about the “safety of drivers.”
Hope Rivenburg and Congressman Paul Tonko in Washington DC
Hope Rivenburg notified us a few days ago that the official day designated to call your Senators and Congress Representatives for the support of more Safe Truck Parking would be set for June 28th, 2010.
We’ve discovered that the bill, Jason’s Law, has been stalled in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where James Oberstar of Minnesota resides as the Chair and John Mica of Florida is the ranking Republican. There is absolutely no apparent reason that this bill should not pass, especially since 2010 is “the year of safety”, which has been displayed by the enforcement of CSA 2010, an all out campaign by the FMCSA to improve highway safety by implementing stricter rules and regulation on both drivers and carriers. Presently, there are over 40 co-sponsors for the bill.
It only stands to reason, that Jason’s Law would go hand in hand with all the new safety mandates since it would be a major positive step to improve the safety of the general public and professional truck driver. Jason’s Law, H.R.2156, would implement more safe truck parking which would serve two- fold:
Create more parking for tired drivers to stop and rest, thus eliminating the danger to both themselves and the general public for the need to keep driving until they can find available parking.
Would reduce the need for drivers to seek and use secluded parking spots for them to park and rest. These secluded parking spots are open invitations for criminal acts of violence, which was proven by the senseless murder of Jason Rivenburg, of whom this bill is named.
First ask for the staffer in charge of transportation.
Then ask them to please ask their boss to co-sponsor H.R. 2156 known as Jason’s Law.
Explain that you live in their state and are very concerned about the risk of highway safety caused by the inadequate number of available parking facilities for professional truck drivers.
Also, explain that the drivers of these massive trucks are forced to drive tired until they can find accessible parking, causing a major safety risk to themselves and the general public. You can then go on to explain that the bill was named after a truck driver who could not find safe parking, and parked in an abandoned gas station where he was shot and killed for a measly $7.00
James Oberstar, the chair of the transportation and infrastructure committee, has a FaceBook Page. We also ask that you please state your plea on his page today. Only when we let this committee know that we are dissatisfied with the stalling of this bill, both through social media postings and flooding the phone lines on June 28th, will we be able to ensure that this bill will be passed.
Hope Rivenburg, the widow of slain trucker Jason Rivenburg, along with Congressman Paul Tonko, AskTheTrucker, and everyone who has worked so diligently to get HR 2156 passed into law, has designated June 28th 2010, the official day for Jason’s Law – Bill HR 2156.
Jason’s Law, otherwise known as Bill H.R. 2156, was introduced on April 28th, 2009 and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Bill, named after truck driver, Jason Rivenburg of Fultonham, NY, who was found shot to death in his truck, would implement a pilot program to establish safe truck parking facilities.
What this day of recognition means is that on, June 28th, 2010, we are calling for EVERYONE to call their Representatives and Senators, telling them that it is imperative for them to support HR 2156 in order that truck drivers can have the promise of safe and adequate parking. We need to flood the phone lines and “Get Er Done”
This is a Bill that has the Support of everyone. With all the many differences that exist among one another within the trucking industry, we are all in unanimous agreement that H.R. 2156 must be passed and become law.
Organizations in Support of H.R. 2156- “Jason’s Law”
OOIDA Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Teamsters The International Brotherhood of Teamsters
It’s time to for us all to be determined and not depend on the next guy. Here is an article written by Todd Dills of OverDrive Magazine which explains why we must not be passive, but instead, the absolute vital importance of why we must all be proactive in this cause. We must all create a frame of mind within ourselves that says,
” If I make this call today, Jasons Law Will be passed”
Hope Rivenburg has made numerous trips to Washington in support of HR 2156, attempting to gather support and co-sponsors for the bill.
She does this for 2 reasons:
So that her husbands death will not be in vain
So that no other truck driver or their family will have to endure similar pain and loss
Friday, March 5th, 2010 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of fellow truck driver, Jason Rivenburg. Killed by a gunman for a measly $7.00, Jason had pulled into an abandoned gas station to park his truck, due to the lack of parking in the area for commercial vehicles. Leaving behind a wife and two year old son, Hope Rivenburg also gave birth to twins shortly after Jason’s death. Although Jason Rivenburg was not the first professional truck driver to have their life taken away from them due to a lack of safe and secure parking areas, Hope Rivenburg set out on a mission to make certain no other driver would fall victim to such a meaningless crime.
With the support of so many, including New York Congressman Paul Tonko, they introduced a bill into legislation that would provide the safe parking areas that are needed by commercial truck drivers: House Bill H. R. 2156 . . . Jason’s Law. At present, the Jason’s Law Petition has received 9,188 signatures and the support of thirty three sponsors:
Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
Rep. Michael Arcuri [D, NY-24]
Rep. Joe Baca [D, CA-43]
Rep. Brian Baird [D, WA-3]
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D, WI-2]
Rep. John Boccieri [D, OH-16]
Rep. Henry Brown [R, SC-1]
Rep. Russ Carnahan [D, MO-3]
Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51]
Rep. John Hall [D, NY-19]
Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D, NY-22]
Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]
Rep. Steve Kagen [D, WI-8]
Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D, NY-14]
Rep. Betsy Markey [D, CO-4]
Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
Rep. Michael Michaud [D, ME-2]
Rep. Christopher Murphy [D, CT-5]
Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D, NY-8]
Rep. Erik Paulsen [R, MN-3]
Rep. Thomas Perriello [D, VA-5]
Rep. Laura Richardson [D, CA-37]
Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
Rep. Loretta Sanchez [D, CA-47]
Rep. Mark Schauer [D, MI-7]
Rep. William Shuster [R, PA-9]
Rep. Harry Teague [D, NM-2]
Rep. Dina Titus [D, NV-3]
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D, FL-20]
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland [R, GA-3]
Rep. David Wu [D, OR-1]
Rep. Donald Young [R, AK-0]
Jason’s Law is not only about Jason Rivenburg, but for all professional CMV drivers who have been endangered by the lack of safe parking for the big rigs. From parking lots, rest areas, side streets and from on and off exit ramps, professional truckers are expected to do their jobs with little effort for safety precautions being established for them.
Finally, a bill specifically for truck drivers and their safety is at the forefront of the trucking industry. Hope Rivenburg has fought long and hard for Jason’s Law even through a time of great loss and grief. With so much support coming through for H. R. 2156, truckers can have the safe and secure parking they need to do their jobs and to make it back home to their families.
New York Congressman, Paul Tonko was our guest on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio, Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 7 PM EST. Discussion focused on House Bill H.R. 2156, also known as Jason’s Law. As per the bill, top priority will be given in order to: “address the shortage of long-term parking for commercial motor vehicles on the National Highway System.” In general, the Secretary of Transportation“shall allocate funds made available to carry out this section among States, metropolitan planning organizations and local governments.”
Furthermore, this important bill calls for “constructing safety rest areas (as defined in section 120(c) of title 23, United 22 States Code) that include parking for commercial motor vehicles.” In addition to:
Constructing commercial motor vehicle parking facilities adjacent to commercial truck stops and travel plazas.
Opening existing facilities to commercial motor vehicle parking, including inspection and weigh stations and park-and-ride facilities.
Promoting the availability of publicly or privately provided commercial motor vehicle parking on the National Highway System using intelligent transportation systems and other means.
Constructing turnouts along the National Highway System for commercial motor vehicles.
Making capital improvements to public commercial motor vehicle parking facilities currently closed on a seasonal basis.
Improving the geometric design of interchanges on the National Highway System to improve access to commercial motor vehicle parking facilities.
Congressman Tonko addressed the importance of Jason’s Law and fielded questions concerning the many misconceptions about House Bill H.R. 2156. Questions were given by Project World Awareness and the Congressman cleared up the rumors being spread about Jason’s Law.
One caller, Andy Warcaba of Andrew J. Warcaba & Associates, called in as well, to discuss the problem with the building of safe parking for commercial trucks.
To clear up the misconceptions about Jason’s Law, hear what Congressman Tonko had to say:
: fund, jason law fund, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, music cd, rivenburg, trucking, trucking talk radio
Friday, March 5th, 2010 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of fellow truck driver, Jason Rivenburg. Killed by a gunman for a measly $7.00, Jason had pulled into an abandoned gas station to park his truck, due to the lack of parking in the area for commercial vehicles. Leaving behind a wife and two year old son, Hope Rivenburg also gave birth to twins shortly after Jason’s death. Although Jason Rivenburg was not the first professional truck driver to have their life taken away from them due to a lack of safe and secure parking areas, Hope Rivenburg set out on a mission to make certain no other driver would fall victim to such a meaningless crime.
Jason’s Law is not only about Jason Rivenburg, but for all professional CMV drivers who have been endangered by the lack of safe parking for the big rigs. From parking lots, rest areas, side streets and from on and off exit ramps, professional truckers are expected to do their jobs with little effort for safety precautions being established for them.
New York Congressman, 
