Tow Truck Driver safety tips for freeway calls

[Silverstreak350Z]

The accident footage at the beginning is my worst nightmare. Glad I don't tow up north anymore.

[akacivic]

why did this driver get out and walk to disable thru driver side..great training..please reread your ctta handbook...

[paulofpings]

stuff turning strobes off!! - maximum visibility is the aim of the game!!!

[utubesnamepolsux]

I agree: if no one can cite you an actual *statute* that says you're not allowed to run the beacons while hooking up, I'd run them. If a CHiP wants to arrest you, tell him to go for it.

Test cases are wonderful stuff. No doubt you have a trade association that can loan you an attorney.

[2scrappy4u]

Kansas has the move over or slow down law too, but it seems like people enjoy grazing your ass on the highway. That's why I carry a pocket full of rocks lol. It helps that we use red and blue lights cause from a distance they don't know if it's a cop or not so they try to move over. And yes, our lights are on the entire time we are on scene. As well as the local PD, Sheriff's Dept., and State Troopers.

[gato22114]

Nice video and fast hook up. I work for pro star tow an aaa contract station in milpitas ca and everyday im glad to make it home. It's a dangerous job we do and risk factors are at very high levels.keep safe out there to all operators and i look forward to more videos

[angelvetto19]

it´s a good know it

[Jeffski25]

Nonetheless, great video and stay safe out there.

[Jeffski25]

A good tip from a fellow tow operator who is on rotation with the CHP.......

When you exit your truck, you should walk around the front of it and alongside the passneger side. You got out, walked toward the back of your truck, then walked between the veh to be towed and your TT. You want to minimize your exposure time to the two most dangerous spots when on a freeway call (driver side and between the two vehicles) I'm not trying to criticize you in any way, just offering my advice.

[TheAAATowTruckDriver]

Please, don't worry about it. I welcome all comments and valuable advise.

If we don't have our own experiences to learn from, hearing about what is learned from someone else is the next best thing.

[MetroNewsDesk]

An unusual conditions exists as being stoped on a highway is not a normal situation; furthermore towing a vehicle on a wrecked is not normal situation; for the vehicle to be towed something abnormal would have to have first occurred!

Not being able to utilize safety / warning lights as got to be an outdated code that was never removed from the PC. Your safety; as well as that of the member you are servicing is at stake when ever you operate on any call; especially one on the highway.

[MetroNewsDesk]

Im not disagreeing with you; but, the law I do. Beside being a Fleet Operator for AAA I know it is company policy to operate over head lights from the time you go on location to the time you clear a call.

Here in RI over the last 6 years there has been 3 operators killed by traffic while operating on highway calls which has finally prompted the State to pass a SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER law just last year. It was signed into law on July 1st; 08 but the public is just now being made aware of it.

[MetroNewsDesk]

Here motorists are required to slow to a speed at least 10 mph below the posted and move over 1 lane if possible on all multi lane roads and highways with a posted limit above 25 mile per hour. Its fineable by a min of $85 to a max of $285

This law effects all police, fire & ems as well as tow, road service, transport, construction and utility vehicles while working and having their emergency lights active.

[MetroNewsDesk]

All vehicles with flashing lights are required to have an Emergency Vehicle Flashing Light Permit; which makes that vehicle a Emergency Vehicle. This applies to Tow, Road Service, Police, Fire, EMS, Security, Utility, even News Cars to obtain a permit is to have that vehicle declared; under law an Emergency Vehicle.

Besides working for AAA I am a free lance news photo & have NEWS PHOTOG plates on my personal vehicle and as such my POV is outfitted with a nice front and rear light system

[MetroNewsDesk]

Your joking about note being able to utilize emergency lights while on the shoulder I hope. To be ordered by a CHP policy to use only 4 way flashers in the shoulder is obsurd and a danger to you, the member and the community. Ive been towing for 20 years & have never heard such a thing. As a driver for AAA I know that company policy is to aways use overheads from on location to clearing after dropping.

[TheAAATowTruckDriver]

I looked it up to be sure since I myself have only heard of this from CHP officers when Ive neglected to turn off my strobes, or even traffic advisor, once clear the roadway. As far as the letter of the law, the California vehicle code reads:

25253(c) A tow truck shall not display flashing amber warning lights unless an unusual traffic hazard or extreme hazard exists.

[TheAAATowTruckDriver]

In addition the CHP Freeway Service Patrol Manual states:

Normally, overhead amber lights shall not be used when stopping on the shoulder or when towing a vehicle. Amber lights should be used only when the tow truck is stopped and blocking the traffic lane or when an unusually hazardous situation exists.

On a side note, this also affects the Move Over Law in that it only applies when Emergency Vehicles and Tow Trucks are displaying warning lights.

[dvas52781]

@TheAAATowTruckDriver AAA is transporters they dont know anytihing about real towing . n in nj law is u have to have your flashers on while on shoulder

[AirportTowing]

Also ask the officer if he can use his car to give traffic an early warning a little further back.

[xckid1]

he had plenty of room. try a center divider with no shoulder with traffic at around 55-60...i made it out ok...knock on wood. nice saftey video tho.

[drivinginsa]

great video - nice camera set-up too

[bagoluis]

Thank God when I was towing, I never had anything bad happen to me. I always wore my visible vest, that's for sure. I even used to put the reflective triangles several feet behind the car I was about to tow for more safety precaustions.

[TheAAATowTruckDriver]

I do use traffic cones too, usually when Im working in the roadway and especially when loading dollies. Ive found, by experience, they also can give advance warning of a car coming towards you when you hear the sound of cone being struck