What every truck driver needs to know about overnight parking safety
At Storey Trucking, it’s important to us that our drivers are always safe when they need a place to park and rest. If they are unable to get a good night’s sleep while parking overnight, then drivers will be fatigued. A safe driver is a well-rested driver.
While all drivers’ safety is important, it is especially vital that solo drivers stay knowledgeable on overnight safety. Since solo drivers are by themselves and don’t have a partner to help them keep watch on themselves or the truck, they are more susceptible to unsafe situations. Solo drivers are also stopped for a longer period of time, but team partners can drive while the other driver takes their rest break.
What makes a safe overnight parking spot?
Lighting, surveillance and enough space for access are all critical to safe overnight parking.
Drivers who plan to sleep in their cab overnight should remember to close their windows, lock the doors and hide any valuables.
Drivers should never park on the shoulder of a highway unless there is an emergency, in which case they should put on their emergency flashers. It’s also important to be mindful of parking on or around grass, leaves or weeds because the undercarriage and exhaust from a truck can spark a fire, creating a dangerous situation.
Finding Safe Semi Parking
Parking options for drivers include truck stops, large retail parking lots or possibly at the shipper or receiver (ask in advance). Sometimes drivers may get a false sense of security where they are, so here are some things to keep in mind to reduce parking stress and to help you stay safe while parking overnight:
Have a plan. Plan ahead on where you want to stop so you don’t have to spend time looking when you get there. Planning ahead also helps to avoid any illegal or unsafe parking situations. If possible, try to call ahead and reserve a parking spot so you know there will be one when you get there. Knowing your route gives you the chance to research truck stops along the way or research other options. Some truck stops will even let you reserve an overnight spot days in advance. Planning ahead includes not only knowing where and when you’ll need to stop but also getting on the road early so you can park early.
Park Early. Stop sooner rather than later. It’s always harder to find overnight parking spots between 4 - 11 p.m. If you can arrive at your overnight spot a little earlier in the day, you’ll have a better chance of finding a good spot.
Pay attention to lighting. A well-lit area will be less likely to be vandalized or burglarized. If you can’t find a truck stop, try to find other areas that have good lighting and video surveillance.
Lock up. Always keep your door locked and never leave your truck running when you are away from the truck. It may seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised at how many drivers forget to lock up their truck and trailer for the night. So, before you go to sleep for the night, make sure to lock everything!
Use a dash cam. Storey has forward facing dash cams in all of our trucks. Dashcams are a great way to provide evidence if your truck was in an accident or vandalized. It’s refreshing to know that you have an extra set of eyes on your truck!
Follow the crowd. Park in places where other trucks are present so that you’re not alone and potentially vulnerable.
Use an app. There are some great apps available to help truck drivers find safe parking. Check out our list of the best apps for truckers to see which ones can help you find (and even reserve) an overnight parking spot:
Trucker Path - Real-time facility information, search function and multi-day trip planning.
Trucker Tools - A truck stop guide and rest area information.
Love’s Connect - Search for Love’s and Speedco locations, including the wait times for gas or a shower.
Allstays Truck Stops & Travel Plazas - Includes Flying J Travel Plazas, Love’s Travel Stops, TA Travel Center and Pilot locations.
TruckPark - with over 200 secure locations, the TruckPark app allows drivers to schedule their overnight parking in advance, so drivers do not have to worry about driving around to find a parking spot.
Tips and tricks from one Storey driver to the next:
Don’t park at the end of the row if possible because there is an increased risk of your truck getting hit by another truck that is making the turn around the end of the row.
Use your seatbelt to secure your doors when in truck sleeping by looping the seatbelt through the armrest and buckling it.
The presence of a security guard may not translate to increased safety for you and your truck; historically, stores do not hire security unless they have had trouble in the past.
The Storey Difference
At Storey Trucking, we pride ourselves on maintaining a positive work culture where our teams feel more like family. Maintaining truck driver safety is a huge part of the work culture at Storey Trucking. We want our drivers to always return to their families safely. Learn more about how you can join our team and hit the road.