Radio Report: House unanimously approves Rep. Dan Griffey’s bill to reopen safety rest areas

February 9, 2022

The state House of Representatives has voted to reopen safety rest areas along Washington’s highways. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: Representative Dan Griffey of Allyn says the closure of numerous rest areas across the state during the pandemic has become a growing safety concern, especially for long-haul truck drivers.

GRIFFEY: “Our truck drivers are regulated by the federal DOT on the amount of hours that they can drive in a row. They have to drive a certain amount of time and then rest for a certain amount of time.”

SATTGAST: With many rest areas closed, Griffey says truck drivers are forced to park on the sides of highways to get their rest, which puts other drivers at risk.

GRIFFEY: “This bill addresses those concerns of adequacy of parking by redirecting our DOT to keep our safety rest areas open so our truck drivers and our traveling public can stay safe.”

SATTGAST: Lawmakers in the state House gave unanimous approval to Griffey’s bill Wednesday. The measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration. John Sattgast, the state Capitol.