DUNMORE -- State police in Lackawanna County are reminding drivers that it is illegal to park on an interstate highway, including on-ramps and off-ramps.
State police in Dunmore tell Newswatch 16 they received a number of complaints of people parking where they should not park. Those complaints stemmed from drivers seeing commercial vehicles parked on exit ramps.
Officials tell Newswatch 16 the reason they sent out the reminder is because it's not only against the law, but it's also dangerous.
We spoke to some drivers who have seen trucks parked off the exits and hope to see a change.
Check out this picture from the Friends of Lackawanna Facebook page taken on Friday night.
There were seven large trucks parked on the shoulder of the exit ramp off Tigue Street in Dunmore.
Kathy McDonough from Dunmore lives near this part of the interstate.
"I think it's a hazard, and not only that, but they come down Drinker Street and they should stay on 81. They shouldn't come down Drinker Street, all those big rigs."
State police put out the news release to remind drivers that it is illegal to park on interstate highways, and that includes the exits and on-ramps.
Officials tell us they received several complaints of commercial vehicles being parked on exit ramps.
The reminder is not pinpointed to one specific problem spot, but rather a general notice.
Shania Cirba from Peckville thinks drivers should take the reminder seriously.
"It's very, very unsafe," said Cirba. "When I'm driving, I may not see them or hit them or maybe they might pull out and hit me or something like that on the highway."
The interstate ramp off Tigue Street in Dunmore is where many of those larger trucks were seen parked. Some people we spoke to tell us it's very unsafe, especially when it's dark.
"I know when I come off that ramp, Tigue Street ramp, I see the trucks there and it's very dark there," said McDonough.
Gene Marrazzo from Dunmore tells us he has never seen trucks parked illegally on the interstate personally, but he understands why people might be concerned.
"I'm sure it is quite dangerous. You can't see around them when they are parked there, and if you come around and you cut the corner too short, you might hit it."
The Pennsylvania State Police have increased patrols and troopers will take action on anyone who violates this law.
