I just got the following from Delegate Bob Marshall.
Amendment Being Offered July 17th, 9:30 AM to Keep Virginia Rest Stops Open
Congressman Frank Wolf (R-10th) will offer amendment July 17 Friday Morning at 9:30 AM to the Transportation Appropriations Act so suspend the federal law prohibiting Virginia from contracting with private vendors to operate restaurants or service stations at Interstate Rest stops as is currently allowed in MD, OH, PA and DE.
Congressman Tom Perriello (D-VA-5th) IS OPPOSED to Frank Wolf’s amendment to let Virginia contract for motorist services at rest stops I am advised by a highly reliable source. Perriello’s opposition is being used on Capitol Hill to DEFEAT the Wolf Amendment.
Your immediate action is needed!
AAA Mid Atlantic wrote Congressman Wolf (July 16):
“This issue is already resonating among the motoring public and the trucking industry. In fact, a growing number of motorists have expressed alarm about the decision to close the rest areas and to cordon off their entrances.
In our view, there is no question that the safety of motorists will be negatively impacted by the closing of rest areas in Virginia. The problem goes well beyond the need to use restroom facilities. Long haul drivers need to stop to rest, drink caffeine, change drivers, etc. If they do not have a convenient option they may drive when they are too tired to do so.
Nearly one-third of drivers (28%) say that they have nodded off or fallen asleep while driving a vehicle, according to extensive research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
It is estimated that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year, resulting in an estimated 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In fact, NHTSA reports that twenty percent of crashes and twelve percent of near-crashes were caused by drowsy drivers.”
Please contact Congressman Perriello and urge his support for the Wolf Amendment.
Washington DC office (202) 225-4711; Charlottesville (434) 293-9631; Danville (434) 791-2596; Farmville (434) 392-1997Sincerely,
Delegate Marshall
(703) 853-4213.
To contact your congressmen, go to www.house.gov.
