Old-fashioned rest stops disappearing in Florida and other states

Stateline.org (TNS) ^ | 04/06/2017 | Jenni Bergal

[VastRWCon]

WASHINGTON — For more than half a century, old-fashioned, no-frills highway rest stops have welcomed motorists looking for a break from the road, a bathroom or a picnic table where they can eat lunch.

But in some states, these roadside areas are disappearing.

[Buckeye McFrog]

It’s just as disconcerting to stop at rest areas in Michigan where there’s a sign at the entrance that reads “Prison Area: Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers”.

[RegulatorCountry]

The signs in North Carolina rest areas have always amused me for some odd reason: “You may be solicited by individuals offering religious tracts. The State of NC does not condone such activities but is prevented by the courts from prohibiting them. If solicited, you have the right to refuse.” Those signs went up due to Moonies.

[VastRWCon]

I live in FL now and don’t travel much via 95 anymore. The Turn Pike on the other hand has some really really nice rest stops. I usually stop and pickup a Power Ball at them on my way to and from Universal/Disney.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I always think its strange when there are elephants in the room so to speak.

And the elephant here is how homosexuals have swarmed over these rest areas. But authorities are afraid to say this is the reason they are closing rest areas. Since homosexuality is celebrated nowadays in popular culture, and homosexuals have a special high status, nobody wants to say out loud that homosexual activity is a problem in these places.

[Rusty0604]

Every once in awhile I spot an old building that was obviously a Stuckeys back in the day. I used to love stopping there when I was a kid and we traveled route 66 from CA to AL to visit grandma.

[Chode]

filthy disease ridden queers fouling everything they come in contact with... delenda est

[Drew68]

Figure in most states it’s because of the queers.

I've driven across the country multiple times, stopped at countless rest stops and have never been accosted by queers.

I wonder, are people here driving around with rainbow bumper stickers or something?

[maxwellsmart_agent]

Eliminating rest stops is the number one biggest mistake planners are making today. If anyone has driven late at night, they realize the greatness of having a rest stop to pull into for an hour to close your eyes and rejuvinate.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike started this about 15 years ago. I remember using rest stops on the turnpike to pull over for a short nap several times. Without them, you try to continue and possibly nod off when driving.