Slow Down. Move over.
Imagine working in an industry that
makes the “Deadliest Catch” fishing industry seem like a cruise ship vacation. If
you’re reading this, chances are good you already do. As a tow driver you work
in an industry where you’re practically invisible - until it’s almost too late.
In some states, you’re also invisible to the law telling people to slow down
and move over when passing an incident or emergency on the highway. Even though
tow drivers, like emergency workers, suffer more than twice the average
occupational injury and fatality rates compared to all other industries, some
states don’t require drivers to slow down and move over for a tow driver. More
on that problem below.
Tow driver’s fatalities, injuries
and near misses on our highways happen far too often. Ask any driver and you’ll
hear a story that will raise the hair on the back of your neck, quickly
followed by a knowing head shake and probably an explicative. In some cases, it’s
a miracle they survived to tell the tale. Some didn't.
With the exceptions of Hawai’i and
the District of Columbia, 49 States now have the “Slow Down Move Over” law in
place, but we still lose not only law enforcement officers and emergency
responders, but tow drivers and civilians on an almost daily basis. Why? According to a national
poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety
Commission, 71 percent of
Americans have never heard of “Move Over” laws. Not knowing about the laws also
means those same people likely don’t know the proper procedure when passing an incident/emergency
scene. Quite simply, if you’re in a lane beside the incident, slow down first,
and then attempt to move over - if it’s
safe to do so. In that order. If you
can only slow down, do so. Other reasons for these senseless deaths include
drunken driving, texting, daydreaming, and simple inattention to surroundings
when passing an incident.
Even though tow drivers are usually on the receiving end of motorist
thoughtlessness, it’s also important to remember that we drive these same roads
as a civilian ourselves. While practicing very safe operating procedures when
working, they’re often forgotten while out in our non-working lives. Far too many times I’ve been a passenger in
the car with someone who should know about the law (read: driving professional),
and yet I see little, if any, effort to slow down and move over when they pass
an incident.
While no official statistics on the deaths of tow drivers
specifically, industry estimates range from 50 to 70 tow drivers killed on an
annual basis. A simple internet search returns dismaying examples just over the
last year:
o
Jun 30, 2013 - A local tow truck operator was
killed while he was in the process of towing a vehicle on Interstate ten.
o
Jun 11, 2013 - KUSA - A man was killed Tuesday
afternoon when he was hit by a semi truck as he was attempting to tow a
vehicle.
o
May 4, 2013 - MIAMI (CBS Miami) - A tow truck
driver assisting a car was hit and killed by a third vehicle that fled the
scene.
o
Feb 12, 2013 - MALIBU, Calif. (KTLA) -- A tow
truck driver was killed in Malibu Monday night
o
Aug 28,
2012 - An 18-year-old Smithville, MO, tow truck driver was struck and killed
while out of his vehicle on Interstate 35 near the Christopher S. Bond Bridge.
o
Dec 9, 2012 - A tow-truck driver helping a
stranded motorist along the 405 Freeway in Long Beach was killed early Sunday
after he was struck by a drunk driver.
o
COLTON, California – J&S Towing truck driver
Jesus Salcedo, 56, of Colton was struck and killed late Friday afternoon while
assisting the driver disabled vehicle
Unlike police, fire and rescue, which are protected
by the slow down move over law, tow drivers aren't covered by these laws in all
states. So, which states don’t protect tow drivers with laws when they’re the
only ones at the incident? Surprisingly, there are nine:
·
Alaska
·
Louisiana
·
Maryland
·
New Mexico
·
New York
·
North Dakota
·
South Dakota
·
Texas
·
Wyoming
Working an incident is always a
fluid situation. While you always have to have one eye on traffic and another
on the job at hand, the states above make it even more difficult for tow
drivers to come home at night. If you live in one of these states, speak with
your legislator.
So, how do you protect yourself
while you’re out on the road? Three words. High visibility equipment. Your
lights, work clothes and temporary traffic control equipment should all be high
visibility; the brighter the better. Don’t work on the traffic side of the
incident, if possible. While this isn't always possible, this is the reason you
want to have high visibility equipment. Your movement, because noticing activity is a
function built into our brains, combined with the bright clothing creates better
visibility for other drivers.
East Coast Truck and Trailer
1-800-849-2178
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