Pick your danger. Do you want tractor-trailers parked just off the roadway, or drowsy drivers pressing on to their destination? Neither option is good, and both are becoming more common on Alabama highways.
Why You’re Seeing More 18-Wheelers on Ramps
There’s a national shortage of safe truck-parking. According to safety research, the U.S. has roughly
one legal parking space for every 10–11 big-rigs on the road. Federal hours-of-service rules limit how long drivers can be behind the wheel. When the clock runs out, many truckers stop wherever they can. That often means exit and entrance ramps or the narrow shoulder just beyond the fog line.
Drivers tell us they don’t want to park on the side of the road, but they’re left with few options late at night. Others bunch together where they feel safer in numbers, creating long, dark walls of trailers that are hard to navigate around — especially at night or in bad weather.
Why Parked Semis Are So Dangerous
For car and motorcycle drivers, parked tractor-trailers create unexpected hazards:
- Limited sight lines. A line of tall trailers along a ramp can block the view of merging or through traffic.
- “Brick-wall” effect. There is almost no give if a vehicle strikes the back or side of a parked semi.
- Motorcycle risks. Riders turning onto a ramp may be surprised by trailers on both sides, lose a clear escape route, and go down.
- Nighttime visibility. Dark trailers, weak or missing hazard lights, and curves combine to make a stopped rig hard to see until it’s too late.
We have seen and heard of devastating crashes where a driver hit the end of a parked trailer at highway speed or a rider lost control while threading through tall vehicles on a ramp.
Is It Legal to Park a Big Rig on Alabama Ramps?
Generally, parking on the interstate is illegal. Truck drivers sometimes argue ramps are not part of the highway itself, but cities and counties often have ordinances that prohibit stopping or parking on ramps and shoulders except for emergencies or breakdowns. Enforcement varies by location and circumstances. Bottom line: even when a driver feels forced to stop, the risk to the public is real.
How to Protect Yourself When Entering or Exiting the Interstate
A few adjustments can meaningfully lower your risk:
- Ease on, don’t rocket on. When you turn onto a ramp,
build speed gradually and scan far ahead before committing to the merge.
- Use all your lights and your eyes. Headlights on at dusk, keep your windshield clear, and look for reflective tape or marker lights on trailers.
- Give yourself an out. Maintain space so you can brake or steer around a problem. This is especially important on narrow ramps with limited shoulders.
- Expect parked vehicles at night. Slow slightly and create a bigger buffer when you can’t see around the curve or over a hill.
- For motorcyclists: stay out of blind spots, keep a finger over the brake, and avoid riding between rows of parked trailers if possible.
What To Do If You Strike a Parked Semi-Truck
If a collision happens, protecting your health and your rights comes first:
- Get to a safe location and call
911. Request police and medical help for anyone who may be injured.
- Do not move your vehicle unless safety requires it or police direct you.
- Photograph everything: the truck, trailer rear and side, any reflective tape, hazard lights, cones/triangles, skid marks, and the surroundings (including signage and lighting).
- Collect information: driver’s name, trucking company, DOT/MC numbers on the door, trailer number, insurer, witness contacts, and any dash-cam footage.
- Avoid discussing fault at the scene.
- Seek medical care right away — even if you feel okay. Some injuries show up hours later.
- Call an attorney quickly. Trucking companies and their insurers respond fast. You should, too.
How Steele Ritchie, LLC Can Help
Serious crashes involving parked tractor-trailers aren’t simple “fender-benders.” They can involve federal regulations, company safety policies, hours-of-service logs, and electronic data from the truck. Our team investigates quickly, preserves evidence, and helps you understand your options.
Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash with a parked semi-truck, motorcycle wreck, or other roadway incident,
Steele Ritchie, LLC is here to help. We’re local attorneys with deep roots in Mobile and the Gulf Coast, and we take the time to treat people with dignity and respect.
Call
(251) 666-1212 or request your free consultation online:
https://www.steeleritchielaw.com/contact
There is no fee to talk with us. We’re ready to listen, explain your options, and help you move forward.
