News: Jason's Law
JUNE 2009 14 TRUCKERS NEWS JUNE 2009 14 TRUCKERS NEWS O n April 28, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-NY, introduced Ja-son's Law, which would provide grant money to increase the avail-ability of secure truck parking along the nation's highways. On March 5, Jason Rivenburg died from gunshot wounds during an attempted rob-bery after parking at an abandoned mom-and-pop grocery near I-26 in South Carolina to rest. The trucker was from Tonko's district. Jason Rivenburg was the victim of a senseless act of violence, and this bill is a way for us to honor his memory by providing a greater mea-sure of safety for truckers, Tonko said. If we are going to require truck drivers to get a needed amount of rest in the course of their work-day to protect themselves and other motorists, then it makes sense that we partner with local governments and private companies to provide enough safe, secure areas to park. The legislation would create a six-year pilot program financed by $120 million in grants for local gov-ernments and companies to address truck parking shortages along na-tional highways. The grants would provide funding for: The construction of rest areas that include truck parking. Truck parking facilities adjacent to commercial truck stops and travel plazas. Opening existing facilities for truck parking, including inspection and weigh stations and park-and-ride facilities. Promotion of availability of pub-licly or privately provided truck parking on the National Highway System. Truck turnout construction along the National Highway System. Capital improvements to public truck parking facilities currently closed on a seasonal basis. Geometric interchange design im-provements on the NHS for im-proved parking access. The grants would give priority to applicants who can demonstrate a se-vere shortage of truck parking; who have consulted with government agencies, community groups and pri-vate companies; and who demon-strate that their proposals would have positive effects on highway safety, traffic congestion or air quality. The bill, H.R. 2156, was referred to the House Committee on Trans-portation and Infrastructure and has eight co-sponsors. When 35-year-old trucker Jason Rivenburg, of Fultonham, N.Y., was murdered the eve-ning of March 5 at an abandoned gro-cery and service station off I-26 in South Carolina, he left behind wife Hope Riven-burg, 2-year-old son Joshua (pictured with Jason) and twins born two weeks after his death, Hezekiah and Logan. Carol Sav-age, Hope's father, says the family had just moved into a new trailer home next to his house in February. Both Savage, a for-mer regional trucker, and Rivenburg hauled products such as milk and produce from the Schoharie County farming valley and neigh-boring communities. Those interested can donate to the family via the Jason Riven-burg Memorial Fund, c/o Trustco Bank, 1900 Altamont Ave., Rotterdam, NY 12303. Lucinda Coulter FOR THE RECORD TRUCKING NEWS Jason's Law Proposed bill named for murdered trucker shines spotlight on need for more secure parking in some areas JUNE 2009 14 TRUCKERS NEWS JILL DUNN