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AMSOIL has added a 10W-30 diesel oil to its Commercial-Grade family of products. New AMSOIL 10W-30 Commercial-Grade Diesel Oil is designed for those seeking an upgrade over conventional and other synthetic-blend oils in heavy-duty equipment and vehicles. It is a synthetic-blend product with greater than 50% synthetic content to help keep trucks and equipment operating at peak performance. AMSOIL 10W-30 Commercial-Grade Diesel Oil provides 2X better wear protection* to help reduce maintenance costs and promote equipment longevity. It features a low rate of volatility that helps reduce oil consumption and contributes to fewer combustion-chamber deposits. AMSOIL 10W-30 Commercial-Grade Diesel Oil flows dependably in cold temperatures while maintaining power and fuel efficiency for reliable startup and engine protection. “There is a growing demand for 10W-30 diesel oils in the commercial realm,” said AMSOIL Market Manager – Heavy-Duty Brett Granmo. “Our Commercial-Grade line provides a great solution for commercial operations looking for upgraded protection for their equipment without increasing costs.” AMSOIL 10W-30 Commercial-Grade Diesel Oil meets the latest API CK-4 diesel-oil specification and is compatible with other conventional and synthetic oils. *Based on third-party testing in the Detroit Diesel DD13 Scuffing Test for specification DFS 93K222. For more information or to order, contact your nearest AMSOIL Dealer or visit AMSOIL.com. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Lauren Colón ITRHFM press release: The Board of Directors of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that Lauren Colón will be its new executive director. She will join the museum by September 1, 2023. As executive director, Colón will work with staff and the Board to execute our mission and strategic plan. In her new role, she will lead all aspects of the museum including its collections and programs as well as marketing, sales and growth responsibilities. “We are pleased to have Lauren join our work at the museum,” said Bill Gratzianna, president of ITRHFM. “Our future is bright and with the addition of Lauren to the team, we can accomplish so much more for our constituency.” Colón joins the museum team from Tow Times magazine, where she has held a leadership position for the past nine years with roles and responsibilities including production management, marketing, IT, event management, sales and project development. Her background in leadership, marketing and technology optimization will benefit the museum, and she demonstrates an unwavering passion for the industry. She will join the museum just under a month ahead of the annual Museum Weekend events. “Lauren’s work ethic and her passion for the industry are contagious. She is innovative and ready to lead the charge to the future,” stated Jeffrey Godwin, ITRHFM 1st Vice President. The Chattanooga area is growing and the museum has many opportunities ahead. The board of directors has added the Executive Director role to spearhead strategic items related to our growth. New fundraising and grant pursuit programs are needed, and the museum needs executive leadership for its future assimilation into the evolving Chattanooga landscape. ITRHFM Museum Weekend events are held September 28 to October 1, 2023. Learn more about the museum, the Survivor Fund and the Wall of the Fallen at www.towingmuseum.com. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Geri Roskopf My granddaughter is just starting to learn to print. For my birthday, she decorated an envelope with Disney princess stickers, drew numerous hearts and wrote “Grandma” on it. The front of the pink card with a crown printed on it read: “On this day a queen was born, and the inside message was: “We call her grandma, and we lover her with all our hearts.” Twenty years ago I was honored to be awarded the WTRAA’s (Women of the Towing and Recovery Association of America) 2003 Tow Woman of the Year Award. Since then, towing colleagues and my family have dubbed me The Tow Queen. Through the years I’ve been given lots of queen-related gifts. My office is filled with things such as a snow globe with a gold crown inside, and a headband with the word “queen” spelled out in jewels. I think the professional women in the towing industry have many of the traits of royalty: intelligence, curiosity, bravery, hope, faith, respect, a sense of adventure, tolerance, strength, big dreams — and most of all — they show how to be kind to themselves, others and everything that surrounds them. I’ve told everyone they can stop with the queen thing, but when I pulled out this year’s birthday card my heart just melted. It felt good to be called grandma queen for a day. On this day, I proclaim all women in towing to be regal and royal. Straighten up those crowns ladies! View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Beauty contest entries arriving by 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, can park inside the Chattanooga Convention Center, space permitting. Trucks arriving after the Thursday cut-off, or overflow trucks, may require parking on 13th Street adjacent to the Convention Center. 2023 Beauty Contest information: • Entry fee of $60 per truck. Enter as many trucks as you like. • Seven categories: Light-duty Tow Truck, Medium-duty Tow Truck, Heavy-duty Tow Truck, Rotator, Car Carrier, Antique/Classic and Traffic Incident Management Truck/Van/Trailer • First and second place winners from each category will receive a trophy. First place winners will appear in Tow Times‘ Tennessee Tow Show recap. Judging occurs Saturday morning, September 30. Winners will be announced Saturday, September 30 at 3:30 p.m. on the show floor. Each winner will receive a plaque and cash prize. Click here to register your truck(s) Questions? Contact Evan Mealer, emealer1@yahoo.com, 901-334-8418. The Beauty Contest is sponsored by Kapnick Insurance Group, Matthews Garage Inc. and Phoenix USA Inc. Tennessee Tow Show training classes will be held September 27 – 28. Exhibits open September 29 – 30 in the Chattanooga Convention Center. Visit TennesseeTowShow.com to check out the schedule, reserve your hotel room, pre-register for the show and register your truck for the beauty contest. Schedules are updated regularly so visit often. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Flagman™, which educates the driving public on how to safely navigate roadside emergencies, has been presented with a Peter K. O’Rourke Award. Peter K. O’Rourke awards recognize notable achievements in highway safety by individuals, coalitions, organizations, nonprofit groups, businesses, media, government agencies, universities or programs. “On April 22nd, 2020, my brother Corey Iodice was working in the family towing business, helping a disabled motorist on the side of the road in Connecticut when he was fatally struck by a driver who failed to slow down and move over,” Cindy Iodice writes. “So, we created Flagman to raise awareness about Slow Down, Move Over laws and to help save the lives of other first responders along the road. “Failure to slow down/move over is a national crisis. So, since 2012, every state has had a Slow Down Move Over law. We created Flagman to raise awareness, and it is a universally recognized safety icon with safety colors of orange and black. Winning the 2023 Peter K. O’Rourke award is an incredible honor for our family and the team at Flagman. It’s an honor and a privilege to have a seat at the safety table and that we can continue Corey’s legacy of safety. We just launched our program in June, 2022, so we’ve had a tremendous response in our first year in terms of support. Our vision is to eliminate secondary crashes that result in injuries and deaths of first responders. “Our family has been in towing for 70 years. It’s always been a family business. I’m most proud that we have come together even stronger after the tragic loss of Corey to create something so positive.” View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Source: Association of Professional Towers — Ohio press release The Association of Professional Towers — Ohio (APTO) is conducting its Tow Training Boot Camp August 17-19 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Middleburg Heights, OH. There will be multiple training sessions at this single location. Training Schedule: Thursday, August 17 Day 1 of ERSCA Heavy-Duty Training Registration opens: 7:30 am Training: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm *Lunch provided* Tow Industry Billing Class Room opens: 12:45 pm Training: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm TIM Training – Free Room opens: 5:45 pm Training: 6:00 – 9:30 pm Friday, August 18 Day 2 of ERSCA Heavy-Duty Training Registration opens: 7:30 am Training: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (lunch provided) Electric Vehicle Class Room opens: 12:45 pm Training time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm Saturday, August 19 HazMat Responder Network Room opens: 6:45 am Training: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm Airbag Awareness Room opens: 12:45 pm Training: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds address: 19201 Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. Click here for more information and to book a hotel in the room block. The hotel is the Hampton Inn and Suites CLE/Airport-Middleburg Hts. 7074 Engle Road Middleburg Hts, OH 44130. Phone 440-234-0206. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Daimler Truck North America press release: On August 10, Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) celebrated the grand opening of its new Redistribution Center (RDC) in Whitestown, Indiana. Spanning over 605,000 square feet, this build-to-suit facility will replenish DTNA’s ten Parts Distribution Centers (PDC) across the U.S. and Canada with efficient and timely truck parts availability. The addition of the RDC to DTNA’s Parts Distribution Network is in line with DTNA’s Aftermarket parts growth initiatives to increase customer uptime. The purpose of the RDC is to efficiently replenish parts across the regional PDCs, expanding DTNA’s overall Parts Distribution Network to almost four million square feet in footprint. The RDC becomes the largest centralized consolidation space in DTNA’s Parts Distribution Network. This enables DTNA to reduce safety stock in regional PDC facilities leading to space optimization and operational efficiencies for large bulk and strategic parts storage, including unique storage space for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. “We are excited to introduce the Whitestown RDC as an integral part of our Parts Distribution Network,” said Brian Lewallen, president of Detroit Reman and general manager, aftermarket solutions, DTNA. “This investment not only strengthens our capabilities to efficiently manage inventory across our network, but also demonstrates our commitment to our parts growth strategy and prepares us for new product lines for our customers.” Proximity is key when getting parts on the road to DTNA’s ten PDCs and ultimately into the hands of dealers and customers. Being strategically placed in the “Crossroads of America” state, Indiana, and Indianapolis specifically, presented itself as a centralized connection point to major interstates and logistics hubs. “By implementing a centralized approach to inventory management, DTNA aims to ensure that the right parts are in the right place at the right time for maximizing customer uptime,” said Todd Biggs, director, aftermarket parts distribution. “The goal is to set the benchmark for parts availability across our PDC network and ultimately for our customers.” The RDC will play a vital role in effectively managing seasonal and sales fluctuations, providing the necessary capacity to meet PDC demand and promoting customer uptime. It also serves as a linchpin in helping DTNA to achieve its goal of delivering approximately 90% of parts ordered by the next day. The facility offers the flexibility required for strategic parts storage ensuring the RDC remains at the forefront of the industry and drives parts availability through continuous replenishing of stock supporting DTNA’s brand portfolio: Detroit Diesel, FCCC, Freightliner, Thomas Built Buses, and Western Star. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Photo by Lukas Frykman When I was young and learning to memorize the names of the states in the U.S., Florida, Idaho, Tennessee, California and Texas were easy to recognize because of their shapes. The same went for my home state of Wisconsin, as the peninsula of Door County sticks out like the thumb of a hand. My oldest sister has never been to Door County, so my other sister and a friend and I headed up to the peninsula for a day trip. One of the peninsula’s must-see attractions is a winding, 1.5-mile stretch of Highway 42, which brings you to the tip of the peninsula and Lake Michigan. They say there is no rhyme or reason why the road’s designer, Jens Jensen, designed the curving path, but it is thought that his goal was to make people slow down, relax, notice their surroundings more, and just enjoy the ride. Whenever I take a day off from work I come back to a mess on my desk and wonder if it was worth taking the time off. Mentally, I needed this day trip to be away from the stress of work and life, and to spend some time and have some fun and laughs with my sisters and friend. Driving that winding road made me realize the need to slow down, relax, and enjoy the beauty and healing power of nature, and to just enjoy the ride. I can hear some of you say you can’t afford to take any time off. But, I know every one of you have must-see attractions in your state and probably, like my sister, have never ventured out to explore them. While you might come back to a mess on your desk, take the road trip and enjoy the ride. Take it from me, it’ll be well worth it. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com Geri Roskopf

The Tow Times August issue focuses on rotators. Articles include a look at rotator training classes, financial considerations when purchasing a rotator, pro rigging tips and heavy-duty rigging accessories. This issue also addresses proper load management, ratings and limits for car carriers, and in the Recovery Review department, operators use ramping and strap placement to recover a vehicle that dropped from an elevated driveway. Find all this and more in the Tow Times August issue. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

tennesseetowshow.com Sept. 27 – 30 • Tennessee Tow Show (Hosted by Tennessee Tow Truck Association and Tow Times) Chattanooga Convention Center Chattanooga, Tenn. EXHIBITS OPEN Friday, September 29 – 10 am – 5 pm Saturday, September 30 – 11 am – 4 pm We hope to see everyone September 27-30, 2023 in Chattanooga. Check back here for updates.

Source: NHTSA The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has partnered with advocates and experts from across the country to launch its “Speeding Wrecks Lives” speeding prevention campaign. The launch comes as new data show that while there has been three quarters of a slight dip in overall roadway deaths, speeding fatalities reached a 14-year high in 2021 and make up almost one-third of all traffic fatalities. The campaign, which runs from July 10-31, is one of ways in which the U.S. Department of Transportation is working to address the crisis of roadway deaths through its National Roadway Safety Strategy. The NHTSA campaign is supported by a $9.6 million national media buy featuring English and Spanish-language ads running on television, radio and digital platforms. The ads target drivers ages 18 to 44, who data show are most likely to be involved in speeding-related fatal crashes. NHTSA released new data on speeding, showing that speeding-related fatalities increased 8% from 2020 to 2021, with 12,330 people killed in 2021 speeding-related crashes. This represents 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021. The estimated number of people injured in speeding-related crashes also increased by 7%. And 33% of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes were speeding, more than drivers of any other vehicle type. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Source: Beacon Funding press release: Equipment financing company Beacon Funding and Transit Pros, a towing, roadside and transportation company, have announced a strategic brand partnership. By combining their expertise, resources, and innovative approaches, the two companies aim to empower towers to expand their transportation capabilities. This strategic collaboration will provide businesses with the tools they need to enhance operations. Beacon Funding streamlines the truck acquisition process by offering comprehensive financing options and Transit Pros help towers put their trucks to work across the U.S. “At Beacon Funding, we understand the challenges that towers face when it comes to acquiring more trucks and expanding their fleets,” said Stephanie Richards, Business Development Consultant. “With this partnership, we can empower businesses to increase their capabilities, enabling them to overcome obstacles and achieve sustainable success.” The partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies, integrating Beacon Funding’s experience in truck financing with Transit Pros’ knowledge of towing, roadside and transportation solutions. This synergy will enable the development of innovative offerings that address the unique challenges businesses face in the transportation sector. “Transit Pros and Beacon Funding are driving positive change and setting a new standard of excellence in the towing community, ensuring that clients and tow companies receive unmatched service, support, and transformative solutions,” said Tonya Bay, Director of Vendor Relations. “Together, we are redefining industry standards and raising the bar for excellence.” For more information visit https://www.beaconfunding.com/transit- pros-perks or contact Stephanie Richards at srichards@beaconfunding.com or 847.897.2735. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Since 2015, the family of the late towing company owner Dave Jones of Dave Jones Services in Orlando, Fla., has awarded an award in his honor to recognize an outstanding leader in the towing and recovery industry. The Dave Jones Leadership Award honors those who have demonstrated leadership, vision, dedication, and have been a teacher or mentor to others in the field. The recipient is chosen by members of the Dave Jones family. Only online submissions are accepted — no fax, email or mail nominations are considered. The recipient is recognized before their peers at the annual Tennessee Tow Show in Chattanooga, to be held September 27-30, 2023. Nominate a towing leader at https://towtimes.com/2023-dave-jones-leadership-award-nomination/ The application deadline is August 15, 2023. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Geri Roskopf While most in the towing and recovery industry think a Know Before You Tow slogan would be geared toward towing operators, I would add all other support specialists in a company such as dispatchers, managers administrative staff, etc. If I was asked what my job title and duties are, I would say I am an owner of a towing company, a boss, manager, dispatcher, receptionist, payroll – accounts payable and receivable clerk, bookkeeper, HR rep, counselor, parts runner, cleaning lady, coffee maker, and I take care of all other duties deemed necessary. What I am not, is a tow operator. In order for tow and recovery professionals to do their job effectively, they rely on support professionals like me to efficiently practice safe and timely incident management. That means I handle communication, documentation and tracking of incidents that help improve the efficiency of quick incident clearance, decrease roadway congestion and increase safety for all responders and the motoring public. As a support specialist, you take care of a customer’s needs by delivering professional, helpful and quality assistance before, during and after the customer’s requirements are met. Also needed is the collective knowledge of which customer or agency is involved, what kind of equipment your company has, who is available and what skill level they have, what calls are priority and secondary calls, what other resources might be needed, the location and time of day for traffic patterns, congestion and keeping track of the weather. Even though an incident is over and the roadways are cleared, the interaction with the customer, vehicle owner, insurance appraisers, company reps, other tow companies, etc., continues. The Towing and Recovery Association of American has recognized the important role of towing industry support professionals by preparing resource guides for their TRSCP – Towing & Recovery Support Certification Program. I would encourage all support staff to read the guides and take the TRSCP’S entry level and advanced level exams to help give you a sense of accomplishment — and the confidence to Know Before You Tow. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

The Tow Times July issue explores how onboard video cameras can be useful for protection against false liability claims and coaching drivers, strategic investment in employees through training, foundational skills for uprighting light-duty vehicles, 10 benefits of tow trucks and car carriers and much more. The Recovery Review department features the “slingshot” recovery of a 45-foot motorhome. Find all this and more in the Tow Times July issue. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

NHTSA June 22, 2023, press release: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require heavy vehicles to have automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems that will mitigate the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes. “Advanced driver assistance systems like AEB have the power to save lives,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson. “Today’s announcement is an important step forward in improving safety on our nation’s roadways by reducing, and ultimately eliminating, preventable tragedies that harm Americans.” An AEB system uses multiple sensor technologies that work together to detect a vehicle in a crash imminent situation. The system automatically applies the brakes if the driver has not done so, or, if needed, applies more braking force to supplement the driver’s braking. The proposed standard would require the technology to work at speeds ranging between low-speed (6 miles per hour) and high-speed (roughly 50 miles per hour) situations. “Establishing AEB standards is a key component of the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “This technology can enhance the effectiveness of commercial motor vehicle crash reduction strategies and reduce roadway fatalities.” According to NHTSA statistics, there are approximately 60,000 rear-end crashes a year in which the heavy vehicle is the striking vehicle. Once implemented, NHTSA estimates the proposed rule will prevent 19,118 crashes, save 155 lives, and prevent 8,814 injuries annually. NHTSA and FMCSA incorporated feedback from the safety advocacy community, industry representatives and other interested parties to address this critical safety need on America’s roads. The proposed rule, which fulfills a mandate under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, defines “heavy vehicles” as those having a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 pounds, such as heavy-duty trucks and buses. NHTSA proposed a similar rule that would require AEB systems in passenger vehicles and light trucks. In January 2022, USDOT released the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), a roadmap to address the national crisis in motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries. DOT also launched the next phase of the NRSS, the Call to Action campaign, and released a one-year progress report with accompanying data visualizations that highlight the extent and magnitude of the U.S. roadway safety problem and ways to eventually bring the number of deaths on our roadways to zero. Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted for 60 days. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum has announced it will induct 10 new members into its Hall of Fame this fall. The inductees, including two posthumous honorees, hail from the United States, Canada and Mexico. “This year’s incredible group of inductees reflects the diversity of leadership in today’s towing and recovery industry,” says Bill Gratzianna, president of the towing organization. “The class of 2023 includes innovators, forward-thinkers, authors, movers and shakers, and feet-on-the-ground operators, all of whom are well-deserving of our industry’s highest honor.” The 2023 honorees are, in alphabetical order: • Mary Leigh Barbusin, formerly executive director of the Garden State Towing Association, Little Silver, NJ (posthumous) • Albert Battelini of Battelini Wrecker Sales, a Vineland, NJ-based family-owned and -operated towing company since 1921 • Gerardo Cortez González, founder of Grúas Monterrey, a leader in towing services and equipment sales since 1971 based in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico • Bruce Jackson, a pioneer in the towing industry based in Orleans, Ontario, Canada, who introduced Holmes wreckers to France and later the NRC sliding rotator to the U.K. and France • Ruth Cardwell Landau, manager of Fryers Towing Service, Daytona Beach, FL, and a longtime leader of the Women of the Towing and Recovery Association of America (WTRAA), which named Landau Tow Woman of the Year in 2011 and of which she currently is first vice president • Eric Luchini of Luchini’s Towing and Recovery, a provider of heavy-duty towing services in Las Cruces and southwest New Mexico • Bud Morgan, formerly of Morgan Towing, a leading provider of towing services for over 50 years in Muskogee and southeastern, OK (posthumous) • Jon Redman of Redman Fleet Services Inc., serving the Northern Virginia area since 1977 • Rudy Smith, a third-generation owner of a 103-year-old towing company in New Orleans, LA • David Whealon, founder of Whealon Towing & Service Inc., a towing services provider in Fond du Lac, WI, since 1984 The Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame was launched in 1986 to recognize individuals who have made substantial contributions to the towing and recovery industry. “The industry realized it was time to display the roots of the profession,” according to the museum. Over 300 towing professionals have entered the Hall of Fame to date. Hall of Fame candidates must have 20 years of experience running a towing business in an outstanding and exemplary manner, demonstrate leadership in a project with a dynamic and lasting effect on the towing industry, and/or create a product or service with a significant and lasting effect on towing professionals. The inductees will be officially recognized at a formal ceremony on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Westin Hotel Chattanooga during the organization’s annual Museum Weekend scheduled for September 28 to October 1, 2023. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Agero press release: Agero has announced the start of Summer Hustle ‘23. The program, now in its third year, recognizes dedicated and hard-working providers delivering high-quality tow and roadside services throughout the difficult summer months. Running for ten weeks from July 2 through Sept. 9, Summer Hustle ‘23 will award a total of $28,800 in prizes to 12 winners each week, $200 per winner per week, with special double down prizes of $400 during the Independence Day and Labor Day holiday weeks. Three roadside and three tow providers each from the East and West regions will be selected. Winners will be those who have achieved the highest scores for the week in either completion rate or Net Promoter Score (NPS). In the event of a tie, winners will be determined based on the best call acceptance rate. Agero will spotlight these top performers by email and on Facebook every Friday, starting July 14. Summer Hustle ‘23 is open to all service providers under contract with Agero for towing and roadside assistance services. Contestants must be located and operate in the United States and District of Columbia. Summer Hustle ‘23 is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Summer Hustle presents an opportunity to acknowledge and incentivize service providers who consistently go above and beyond in offering consistent, reliable services to drivers in their time of need. For more information on Agero Summer Hustle ‘23 including rules, visit: https://info.agero.com/agero-summer-hustle View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

AAA press release: As AAA prepares to rescue more than 393,000 drivers nationwide with car trouble this Independence Day weekend, it will also provide a free service in effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. The Auto Club Group is activating its Tow to Go program in Florida and other select states (see below), offering a safe ride for would-be impaired drivers and their vehicles. This is the 25th year The Auto Club Group has provided the Tow to Go program. When called upon, The Auto Club Group dispatches a tow truck to transport the driver and vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius for free. Since its inception, Tow to Go has removed more than 25,000 impaired drivers from the road. Tow to Go is active from 6 p.m. Friday, June 30th to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5th. Free confidential rides available to AAA members and non-members. “By providing this program, AAA gives drivers no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or impairing medications,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, we remind people to treat Tow to Go as a last resort. Instead, make advanced plans for a safe ride home.” Tow to Go service areas: FL, GA, IA, MI, ND, NE, TN, WI, CO (Denver), NC (Charlotte), IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend) Phone number: (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 Guidelines: Provided from 6 p.m. Friday, June 30th to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5th. Free and available to AAA members and non-members. Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home. Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Geri Roskopf It has become a tradition at the Wisconsin Tow Show to display company flags on a rope between two tow trucks with the motto: flying high with company pride. Along with company flags, the American flag, the Wisconsin state flag and the thin, yellow line flag representing tow operators are also on display. The American flag has a rich history and meaning in its colors. The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. The thin line of color flags for first responders have special meaning, too: Thin blue line: law enforcement Thin red line: fire department Thin white line: EMS, doctors, nurses Thin gold line: dispatchers The meaning of the thin, yellow line flag for tow operators is described as: The solid background shows no border lines, further signifying unity in the towing industry at all levels. The yellow stands for the men and women of the towing industry among us today. The black stands for all the tow operators who gave their lives — the ones we will not forget. Fly high the thin, yellow flag for tow operators. It has meaning and purpose not only for the towing community, but for the motoring public to slow down and move over to save a life. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. has announced that the 100,000th gasoline-powered Isuzu N-Series truck was produced on June 5th at the Builtmore Contract Manufacturing facility in Charlotte, Michigan. Since April 2011, all Isuzu N-Series gas trucks for the U.S. and Canada markets have been assembled in Charlotte by Builtmore, the market brand of The Shyft Group. The production milestone comes less than five years after the 50,000th gas-powered N-Series truck was built in Charlotte. “This is a testament to the increasing popularity of our gasoline-powered N-Series offerings, which can be attributed in large part to the outstanding quality our partners at Builtmore build into every truck,” said Shaun C. Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “We want to acknowledge and thank the team at Isuzu for the success we’ve been able to achieve together over the past 12 years,” said Daryl Adams, President, and Chief Executive Officer of The Shyft Group. “We are proud to serve Isuzu as a cost-effective and flexible manufacturing partner for their N-Series and F-Series programs helping support their continued growth in the medium-duty truck market.” Isuzu N-Series gas trucks are powered by a 6.6-liter General Motors V8 engine that produces 350 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and generates 425 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,800 rpm. Builtmore also assembles the Cummins B6.7 diesel-powered Class 6 and 7 Isuzu FTR, FVR Derate and FVR at the Charlotte facility. “Back in August 2018, I said that we were looking forward to the next 50,000 gas-powered N-Series trucks coming out of Charlotte,” said Skinner. “We’re very fortunate that — thanks to our loyal customers, our excellent dealer partners, and our assembly team at Builtmore — those next 50,000 arrived so quickly. We truly are looking forward to the next 100,000, and who knows? They may be assembled sooner than anyone could predict.” For more information, call (866) 441-9638 or visit www.isuzucv.com. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Peterbilt Motors Company has announced the introduction of the Off- Road Calibration and Rock-Free Mode for the PACCAR TX-18 PRO transmission available in Peterbilt Models 579, 567, 589, 389, 367 and 365. The PACCAR TX-18 PRO transmission provides excellent productivity, efficiency and uptime for a superior driver experience for on- and off-highway and is paired exclusively with the PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. The transmission is designed to perform in a variety of vocational applications including heavy haul, dump truck, wreckers and cranes. The combination of the TX-18 PRO transmission and a PACCAR MX engine provides up to 1,850 lb. ft of torque and is rated up to 140,000 lbs. GCWR. The PACCAR TX-18 PRO transmission features a new secondary mode which comes from the factory with the newly released Off-Road Calibration. Switching between the primary mode and Off-Road Calibration can be done in a matter of seconds using the stalk-mounted shifter. The system learns road terrain and surface conditions and responds automatically for an improved driver experience. It minimizes unnecessary shifting and maximizes time in gear in challenging terrain for excellent performance. Rock-Free Mode is now standard on the PACCAR TX-18 PRO transmission. If off-road conditions impact maneuverability the Rock-Free Mode can be engaged with the flip of a switch. Once engaged, the transmission can be quickly shifted between drive and reverse to rock free, fully enabling the truck and then automatically returning to its default setting. For more information about Peterbilt Motors Company visit peterbilt.com. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

Now is a good time to nominate a person — a loved one, employee or co-worker — for a nameplate on the Wall of the Fallen memorial, which is on the grounds of the International Towing Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This year’s Wall of the Fallen ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2023, during Museum Weekend, which takes place the same time as the Tennessee Tow Show. Send in nominations by August 1 to allow adequate processing time. The Wall of the Fallen ceremony is an emotionally moving event for families and co-workers, providing public recognition of towing operators and employees whose lives were cut short. Many attendees wear tee-shirts or carry balloons with the nominee’s name and sometimes a message. “Adding names to our Wall of the Fallen is something we wish we did not have to do, but it provides a way for the industry to remember the sacrifices of those who have left us and it’s a blessing for family members who can see a permanent memorial to their loved ones,” said Jeffrey Godwin, co-chairman of the Survivor Fund/Wall of the Fallen Committee. To be eligible, the deceased must have been working as an operator or employee in any capacity at a towing, repossession or road service company. Qualifying circumstances include, among other criteria, death during the act of: loading/unloading a motor vehicle transporting a motor vehicle recovery of a vehicle driving en route to or from a towing call performing work duties at a company office A homicidal death at the hands of a customer, robber or passerby also qualifies. However, certain exclusions apply, such as a death as a result of gross negligence, driving under the influence, road rage and death from natural causes, among others. Visit towingmuseum.com and click “Wall of the Fallen, Request for Inclusion” for more details such as documentation and other information required. Nomination deadline: August 1, 2023. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

AAA – The Auto Club Group applauds Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for signing HB 425, which strengthens the state’s Move Over law. For years, Florida drivers have been lawfully required to slow down and move over for first responders on the roadside. With the expanded law, Florida becomes the 17th state requiring motorists to also move over for a broken-down vehicle on the roadside. With the Governor’s signature, enforcement of HB 425 will begin on January 1, 2024. According to the bill, drivers would be required to move over for a disabled vehicle displaying either its hazard lights, emergency flares or emergency signage. Violators could be cited with a noncriminal moving violation and a fine of up to $158. “AAA began advocating for a stronger law late last year with our ‘Move Over for Me’ campaign,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are extremely grateful that Florida lawmakers took this necessary action to enhance protection for all motorists, in addition to the first responders who come to their aid.” Historically, the roadside has been a dangerous place for disabled motorists and emergency workers. From 2016-2020, an average of nearly 350 people per year were struck and killed while outside a disabled vehicle on the roadside. On average, two emergency responders, including tow workers, are struck and killed every month by a driver who fails to obey the law by moving over to an adjacent lane and allowing the roadside rescuers the space to operate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roadside crashes are notably deadly for tow workers. Government data shows that tow operators are killed at a rate of almost 43 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to just three for all other industries. “These heroes put their lives on the line every time they rescue someone on the roadside,” said Jenkins. “We ask that drivers minimize distractions and constantly pay attention to the road ahead of you. Doing so could save lives.” View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

The Tow Times June issue is focused on safety. Safety topics include an analysis of tow operator fatalities from 2021 to 2023, being proactive for roadside safety, 10-tips for setting up a tow truck for safety, and the psychology of making safety a daily habit. We also examine the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which provides legal protection against towing and impound for servicemembers on active duty. Also included are reviews of TRAA’s Legislation Action Workshop and Hill Day, and the 2023 Survivor Fund Golf Classic. In our Recovery Review Department, operators from Crossroads Towing & Truck Repair of Cave City, KY, sort out the recovery of a box truck that drove onto an automobile transport ramp truck. Find all this and more in the Tow Times June issue. View the full article and more on TowTimes.com