Towing Truck Drivers Reflect on Highway Turnings

Tow truck drivers daily find themselves in the same risky situations that state troopers do when responding to accident scenes.

Darkness, busy highways, bad weather and dangerous driving are regular pressure faced by tow drivers, troopers and other emergency personnel at accident scenes.

A state trooper was hit and killed by a vehicle Sunday night on Interstate 25 near Castle Rock. The trooper was investigating a crash at the time. A man supposed to have driven the vehicle that hit the trooper was arrested and faces several charges.

Julian Cisneros, regional manager of Auto Towing in Colorado Springs, said he has had close calls in his 10-year career.

Every time a truck goes by, you feel the sweater pull up from the wind, and you can swear you are almost getting hit, Julian Cisneros said. If you see a police officer on the side of the road, usually the people will move over. If you put a towing and recovery truck in place of that police officer's cruiser, they do not.

Colorado has a Move over Law enacted in 2005 that requires towing drivers to slow down, stop, pull over or move into opposite lanes when the flashing lights of emergency towing vehicles are seen. 

Violators can be fined nearly $170 and lose 4 points off their driver's license. USA 50 states have similar laws, according to Maile Gray of Drive Smart Colorado state.

I see cars moving over, but I'm not so sure they know it's a law as much as maybe they think they are doing a common courtesy, Gray said. Value workers, construction trucks, anybody who has a light bar that's working on the top of their roof, you need to move over.

Gray said law enforcement deaths at crash scenes have declined since Move Over laws took effect, but tow truck company drivers continue to be killed at the rate of one every 6 days.

Safety Tips for Towing a Vehicle

Breaking down is a real nuisance so it's good to be prepared with knowledge on how to tow a Vehicle. It may seem a little daunting at first so read our guide on how to tow a vehicle safely for some helpful advice.

Before towing a vehicle

• An 'On Tow' sign must be displayed at the rear of the vehicle being towed. And you'll be pleased to know that all Halfords tow ropes and towing poles are supplied with an 'On Tow' sign that you can use.
• Inspect the tow rope or towing pole for any damage, defects or abrasion before you use it. Do not use a damaged tow rope or towing pole.
• On the towed vehicle, leave the ignition switch in the 'on' position to disengage the steering lock. Vehicles with power steering and/or power-assisted will require much more strength and effort to operate when being towed if the engine isn't running.

How to tow a vehicle safely

The driver towing must:

• Drive with extreme care, keeping speed right down to a maximum of 17 mph. This minimizes the forces generated and gives the driver being towed more time to react to what is happening.
• Carefully use the clutch to pull away gently, to prevent any 'snatching' of the rope, which can result in the towed vehicle being jerked forwards suddenly. This is not only uncomfortable for the driver, but is the main reason for tow ropes breaking.
• Try to avoid any sudden braking. If possible, press very lightly on the brake pedal in advance of actually braking. This illuminates your brake lights and gives plenty of warning to the driver being towed. Remember, towing poles are not designed to act as a brake for the towed vehicle.
• When towing a vehicle, indicate in plenty of time in advance of any maneuver, to forewarn the driver being towed and all other traffic.
• Avoid any sudden changes of direction or excessive maneuvers, as the driver being towed will find it hard to steer and brake when the engine in their vehicle is not running.

The driver being towed must:

• Carefully watch the brake lights and indicators of the vehicle that is towing, for maximum notice of any upcoming moves.
• Actively steer and brake your vehicle in coordination with the vehicle that is towing.
• Try to keep some tension in the towrope or towing pole at all times, which will minimize any jolting. This can be achieved by applying light braking pressure whilst being towed. When using a towrope, this will take up any slack and help to extend the rope's life by keeping it out of contact with the road surface.

How to Select Good Quality Towing Company

Top 10 Towing Traits

 

Drug tested Employees

• Sign of responsible, qualified drivers

Background Checks for Employees

• Verification that drivers are upstanding individuals

 Licensed and Insured

• Company responsible for any damage to towed vehicles
• Compliance with state regulations

Driving record check s for employees

• Ensures all drivers are legally licensed to drive
• Helps to increase customer confidence

Willingness to Discuss Fees

• Transparency to pricing
• Willing to give estimate before tow

Variety of Towing Equipment

• Wheel-lift, flat bed, etc.
• Having the right truck for each job lessens the risk of vehicle damage

 Certified Drivers

• Certifications from Towing and Recovery Association of America, Wreck Master
• Proof of drivers’ qualifications and professionalism

 24-Hour Vehicle Monitoring

• Monitoring keeps towed vehicles secure

 GPS Navigation

• Faster service thanks to precise navigation
• Lower chance of vehicle damage while in transit

 Good Customer Reviews

• Indication of company’s service record
• Good reviews suggest reliability

Some ideas to avoid towing service scam

There is a chance that those tow truck drivers will offer services at a very high price and or may keep your car hostage until you pay high towing and recovery charge. A tow for a simple flat tire, for example, could result in a $1,300 bill for towing and recovery.

To be sure, Allstate has a vested interest in hopeful consumers to stay away from such tows since insurers may have to pay for such claims under drivers full or collision coverage. The fees.can run up to 1000$. it can certainly impact the price of insurance for everybody

We thought Allstate’s warning and tips here are some of them below.
☛ Try to use a towing operator who has been screened by your roadside assistance program.
☛ Never give a tow truck operator authorization to take your car if you or law-enforcement personnel did not call the operator.
☛ Do not provide your insurance Details to a tow truck operator.
☛ Make sure all the signs on the truck and the certification provided are the same and consistent.
☛ Whenever possible, have your car towed also to your home or a repair shop of your choice to avoid storage fees and other fees. According to Allstate, scam artists may in fact take the car to an impound lot, and not a repair shop, resulting in high storage fees.
☛ Make sure you take delivery of a printed price list that includes daily storage fees and various charges as well as printed documentation of where the car will be towed. And make sure you sign below the dollar amount quoted, not of necessity the bottom of the document.

Why? Some tow truck drivers may encourage the driver to sign the bottom of an agreement without a finishing towing price and back fill the invoice with miscellaneous fees and charges.

Tow Truck accident on Digital Message Signs law for tow truck operators

We are very pleased to report progress on a request made by (WTA) Wisconsin Towing Association Chair Jamon Ingelse and Vice Chair Shawn Topel to the Department of US Transport back in December as regards the use of Digital Message Signs to promote Wisconsin’s ‘Move Over’ law for tow truck operators.

Last October, when we lost tow operator Nate Walsh, we were reminded that many drivers are not aware of the potential dangers that exist when they fail to move over for a stopped emergency vehicle and responder. Since Nate’s death, we have heard from many of you who feel more needs to be full to promote and educate drivers on the law.

The DOT shared our sentiment and has responded positively to the request of the Wisconsin Transport Association. On February 11th, a TIME Coalition meeting was held to discuss the Wisconsin Transport Association letter and request for more promotion through the on Digital Message Signs system.

We are very grateful to the Transport Department for acting so fast on this request and hope it successfully sends a message to all Wisconsin motorists to take a moment, slow down, and move over when approaching an emergency responder on the side of the road.

Great service that you have to follow before the company towing

Getting in an accident can be stressful and confusing, and a time when victims are vulnerable. Police say some tow companies jump to prey on people and it can be costly.

His garage is painted with the words "24 hour tows." His company statement boasts its "authorized tow. Even its business card says "24 hour towing services." Yet the man who says he owns inner City Automotive in East Bronx insists his company doesn't tow cars.

That's news to Ingrid Diaz-Corcino, back in December. She was in a minor accident in the Bronx.

Within seconds, she says a man show up in a tow truck, handed her an Inner City Automotive business card, offer to tow her car.

And when the NYPD showed up? Ingrid says he missing and then re-appeared after the cops left. This tow truck driver, Ingrid says pressured her not to allow the police to call another tower.

Her says Alexis told her us she let him tow it, she wouldn't pay a dime. Except it turns out the other driver had no insurance. Since Ingrid was not covered for collision, there was no insurance money to claim. But when she tried to recover her car? Ingrid says, Inner City charged her $5,000 for storage. Suddenly, she was on the hook for the tow charge and sixty two days of storage.

This why we are investigate Inner City Automotive, says Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin. Because they keep show up at the scene of accidents. And defraud customers, saying they are licensed and they are not. Inner City Automotive cannot claim to be just a repair shop they are showing up at accident scenes trying to tow people’s cars.

Inner city insists, despite the writing on the wall and their paperwork, it did not tow Ingrid's car. After we showed up, Inner City offered to take four thousand bucks off her storage fee. DCA is now mediate her complaint and attempting to get this resolved happily for her.

The big takeaway, if you are in an accident ONLY the police can call a tow company. But if you are not in an accident and you need a tow, when the tower shows check for a valid customer affairs license and a medallion. And be on the watch for rogue towers that show up at accident scenes, many are unlicensed.

United Coalition for Motor Club Safety by Towingrankings

The United Coalition for Motor Club Safety has produced a towing video to help educate the public about our towing industry the risks towers take and dangers they face every day in order to keep all motorists safe. The video also promotes to the Move over Law that is now in effect in all 50 states, require motorists to move over and change lanes to give safe clearance for first responders, law enforcement and towers.

We are proud of the work the UCMCS has finished so far to build a platform to allow towing companies to connect with one another, share success stories, learn how we can do better and give us a base of support we can draw on to ensure our rights are heard and defended,” said UCMCS President.

Please share the video and sign the petition on the UCMCS site to sign to show your support for the Move over Law and make stronger our collective voice in promoting honesty and safety within our industry. You can also sign up to become a member and stay up-to-date on the UCMCS’ activities and initiatives main to your business.

Formed in early 2012, the UCMCS mission is to make easy and encourage the safety and professionalism of towing and recovery companies constricting with motor clubs, as well as ensure the safety of the public they serve. All members have a direct and immediate stake in the success and responsiveness of the business as we work together to address legal, legislative, financial and safety issues that we all face.