Have you ever arrived to a location too early, and needed to park somewhere to wait until it was time to make your delivery? This happened to 35-year-old Jason Rivenburg of Fultonham, New York last March. He was only a few miles from where he planned to deliver a shipment of organic milk, but was ahead of schedule so decided to pull over to rest. Before he could make it to his drop-off point, Jason was shot and killed while waiting in what was considered to be a safe (but abandoned) gas station in St. Matthews, SC. His murderer got away with only $7 for his brutal crime. Jason left behind a young son and wife, who at the time was pregnant with twins.

In his memory, Jason’s family and friends are petitioning Congress to pass a law – Jason’s Law – aimed at creating more secure rest stop areas for long-haul truckers. Kendra Adams, Executive Director of the New York State Motor Truck Association, says the shortage of safe parking for truckers is a “big problem,” and adds that the closures of numerous highway rest areas in several states makes the problem worse.

Jason’s family has set up a website – www.jhlrivenburg.com – that outlines the “ongoing and escalating problems with truck driver safety and security” and some proposed solutions.

And it seems they are making some headway on this issue. Two Jason’s Law bills have since been introduced to Congress; one by New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who introduced S971, and a second by New York Rep. Paul Tonko, who introduced HR2156.

What do you think of Jason’s Law? Is there anything else that can be done to make rest stops safer for truckers? Have you ever had a bad experience at a (public or private) rest area that makes you think this kind of bill is necessary?