Truck drivers who travel through Central Georgia are facing a new obstacle after a local Walmart decided to ban truck parking on their lot.
Last month, the Walmart on St. Patrick’s Drive in Perry, Georgia put up a sign that reads, “No Commercial Truck Parking.”
Now, truck drivers are left without a choice–either park and risk getting towed, or carry-on and risk fatigue and running overtime.
According to veteran trucker Stephen Syndor, this Walmart was once a popular stop for truckers. But now, it’s no longer an option. He told WMAZ “I pulled in one day, and they waved me down and told me if I’m here for more than 45 minutes, my truck will be towed.”
Walmart explained that it’s up to local managers to decide if commercial vehicles are allowed to park on their lot. Because Walmart is a private company, it maintains the right to tow and the discretion is up to them.
Truck driver Enayat Mahtavi said that the next best option in the area is the Pilot Travel Center off Highway 247 in Byron.
But he says that the lots are usually full. “It’s hard everywhere, but especially in this area, it’s really hard to find parking after 4:00 or 5:00 p.m.” And with few options left, many truck drivers are forced to keep on driving for up to an hour before reaching another place to park.
According to the Perry Police Department, a truck driver was recently charged with assault after his truck was booted in the Perry Walmart parking lot. Police explained that they are aware of the situation but they did not offer any potential solution.