Question:
It has only been since reading the Internet boards that I even knew rest stops had such a bad rep. I've used them as long as I've been driving (33 years), and never had a problem.
There were also ones I'd avoid, but most seemed OK. The majority of my driving has been in Western states, though, if that makes a difference.
Anyway, with the trash-pile/lizard/crowding/etc. problems at so many truck stops anymore, I'd think more and more drivers would just use them to fuel up, and get their rest elsewhere.
But since they don't/aren't, I guess the fact that I'm still alive and never got hassled was just luck, true?
DD

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That's a first for me too!

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and that is just a fact of life. Many of the people who have fallen victim to crime in a rest area have done so because of errors in judgement on their part, which is not to say it was the victims fault, just that they made an unwise choice.
Rest areas that are poorly lit, that are hidden from highway view, and those that are just outside metro areas seem to be the ones that are frequented by those who are less than law abiding.
A little common sense can go a long way to being safe in rest areas.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
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In rest areas you are fair game for an overzealous Smokey Bear to wake you up to do a DOT inspection on you though. If you are parked at a truckstop or other private property, they can't do that.
@#*!%$^@!
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Highwayman: In rest areas you are fair game for an overzealous Smokey Bear to wake you up to do a DOT inspection on you though. If you are parked at a truckstop or other private property, they can't do that.
I mean ...
... where at is it that them "overzealous Smokey Bears" wake up perfectly legally parked truck's drivers in rest areas to inspect their stuff?
I've awaken a few (OK, so it's more than a few) ...
... that were parked down on the entrance ramp or the exit ramp (where vehicles are supposed to be slowing and speeding up to merge or unmerge with 65 +mph traffic or adjust speed for the rest area parking lot) ...
... and that were parked like in front of "no parking" signs or out in the ramp itself restricting width (often times even having cut their lights out) ...
... but they expected to be woke up didn't they?
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...

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The NC DMV will DOT inspect on regular basis at the rest area on I-85 about the 100 mile marker with trucks parked in a legal truck parking spaces! In fact it is pretty common for truckers to warn each other about stopping there all the time due to all the time lost while your truck is being inspected. I have never been inspected there, but have seen it numerous times passing by and I know of a couple of drivers that were inspected when they stopped there!
I know TN writes tickets for parking on ramps, does VA do the same?

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I parked at rest areas all the time, even behind warehouses and shopping centers in supposedly "dangerous areas of town" and never had any problems. Just mind your own business and don't leave the truck, lock the doors, and close the curtains when you go in the back. No problem.
Some rest areas do not allow overnight truck parking. The only time an officer can disturb you is when you are illegally parked. Otherwise you are "off duty" in the sleeper berth. No officer is allowed to pull a DOT inspection on a truck unless the driver has knowledge of the inspection and must be on duty.
Never park on an entrance or exit ramp anywhere. This is always illegal parking and you are subject to a ticket. Don't do it even if you see trucks parked there.
You can almost always park in a weigh station if it is closed. Just park in the staging area and you will be fine.
Sometimes a shopping center has a large area behind it and if they see a truck overnight, they figure it is there for a morning delivery. Sometimes you can go to your customer's dock early and get some sleep, and just wait for the doors to open in the morning.
Busy truck stops are a nuisance with the sounds of engines, refrigeration units, and people pounding on your door. You won't get much good sleep there.

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I seldom park at t/s`s, and mostly at rest areas. Never have had any problems at all.Only in Ohio was I told to get off the off-ramp, but told to use the on-ramp.Makes sense thou. Trucks using the off ramps are usually going faster than trucks using the on ramps.
fishman

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I have slept in my car at a rest area and have noticed that like many other situations. If you don't bother anyone they tend to leave you alone.
TimThis is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

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CP writes:
________________________________________________
I've awaken a few (OK, so it's more than a few)
_________________________________________________
You will find a feather in your box.
And if you dont know what this means, then you are a young trooper.
Just a grouchy old man.

Answer:
Dice: CP
The NC DMV will DOT inspect on regular basis at the rest area on I-85 about the 100 mile marker with trucks parked in a legal truck parking spaces! In fact it is pretty common for truckers to warn each other about stopping there all the time due to all the time lost while your truck is being inspected. I have never been inspected there, but have seen it numerous times passing by and I know of a couple of drivers that were inspected when they stopped there!
I know TN writes tickets for parking on ramps, does VA do the same?
I am wondering if what you and others are seeing is really what you think it is, or if it's a matter of the DOT troopers merely moving the truck and inspection into the rest area parking lot to get off the side of the ramp or interstate? I'm not arguing the point, just wondering.
Tickets on the ramps? Just depends.
Some officers in some areas write a lot, others write a few and warn when they can. Whether or not they write a ticket is up to each officers conscience. Some feel they "wrote them yesterday so it is only fair to do so today". Others adopt a method of warning until someone says something "out of the way", then write for awhile (if asking for advice on where to park, asking "Officer, is there some place that you know of where I can find room to park?" goes over much better than "Well, where in the g** d*** h*ll am I supposed to park?"). I myself like to just smack the door with the open palm oh my hand and see the driver come out of the sleeper as I walk to the next and see the truck move without a lot of talk. When that doesn't work like when a driver wants to argue or something, I write. I have towed them on rare occasions. Of all my options, I try the hand slap on the door first in the hope that it works for now. I have done it the other way too though, and sometimes I think it is more effective to simply write them one after the other.
Take yesterday for example ... I had just cleared the in-ramp and set back in my car and two trucks pulled up behind me car with blue lights still on, and parked right beside the no parking signs and the drivers got out, chatted with each other, and started walking towards the bathrooms right past my car when I rolled my window down as they passed my window and said "Excuse me ... but where are y'all going?". They told me, I said if they went on, just leave thier CDLs with me and I'ld have the paperwork all done when they got back, they asked "for what?" and I mentioned the signs. One said "but we are only going to be just a minute" as the other one started walking back to the truck. I told the one that I could still have it all done when he got back, even if he were "just a minute". He headed back to his truck then. There was room in the rest area but it required backing (which they did then) and the truck stops had plenty of room (I had looked) and they preferred to park on my bumper.
Now, I wonder...
... if the previous hands had left the rest area cursing me for writing tickets (instead of warnigs or slaps on the doors) would they would have parked there?
This is slightly off subject, but it seems a good time to say it again ... Rest areas were built as a temporary place of rest (reason for 2 hour rule) and refreshment (water, restrooms, maybe sodas, and a place to stretch) back when the interstates were first built as private buisness hadn't opened up at the then new exits. The rest areas may seem small today, but they were big enough then. Back a few years ago, there were several high profile crimes committed in the rest areas of several states, ours being one of them. Now, once a shift minimum, we have to "log" a rest area check with the dispatcher (and the tapes are subject to subpeona), and we can't leave the rest area with violations present. We may find trucks (and some cars) parked on the ramps or trucks parked on the car side or other violations when we come in, but we can't leave them there. If I leave the ramps cluttered up and some one comes in 5 minutes after I leave and hits a trailer sitting in the ramp with lights off, and anyone saw me leave it there ...
... you can bet I'll have to answer for it and I and my dept are likely to be named in a suit. Not worth it to me, or any officer who understands this.
Besides ... I really do care about safety, I have seen cars and trucks hit parked vehicles, and I hate to see people hurt.
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...
[This message was edited by Crystal Pistol on August 12, 2003 at 11:31.]

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Originally posted by Crystal Pistol:
_Take yesterday for example ..._ I had just cleared the in-ramp and set back in my car and two trucks pulled up behind me car with blue lights still on, and parked right beside the no parking signs and the drivers got out, chatted with each other, and started walking towards the bathrooms right past my car when I rolled my window down as they passed my window and said "Excuse me ... but where are y'all going?". They told me, I said if they went on, just leave thier CDLs with me and I'ld have the paperwork all done when they got back, they asked "for what?" and I mentioned the signs.
It's okay for smokey to park there though.
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Save the trees, eat more beavers.

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It's okay for smokey to park there though. ....... when the lights are on (blues that is) and I'm doing my job, then yes, it's OK then.
I use a regular parking space otherwise like when I pull in to use the facilities or complete some paperwork or take a walk or get a soda, etc ...
... in fact they even have a reserved parking spot for me.
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...

Answer:
Originally posted by Crystal Pistol:
It's okay for smokey to park there though. ....... when the lights are on (_blues that is_) and I'm doing my job, then _yes_, it's OK then.
... in fact they even have a reserved parking spot for me.
Yeah, I see your point. It would probably be too much strain on your back and legs to carry that ticket book all the way over from that reserved spot.
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Save the trees, eat more beavers.

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Yeah, I see your point. It would probably be too much strain on your back and legs to carry that ticket book all the way over from that reserved spot
......... but the lights on the car are there to warn people approaching (on the highway, entrance ramp, exit ramp, or ... wherever else I am) of my presence (for my safety in other words) and they let a driver that hears a "slap" on the door more quickly recognize the "slapper" as a LEO when he sees the glare of blue strobes lighting up the cab interior when he/she parts the curtains to see what's going on.
But ...
... if I did carry "that ticket book all the way over from that reserved spot" with me the first trip across the lot and down the ramp, you can bet I would put it to good use and not waste the effort by just slapping the doors alone.
Goodnight all ............
... and whatever you do, have a SAFE TRIP...