TowZone

Randall, thank you for your effort and devotion to searching out both the numbers and details. I just could never find that devotion though it was not that I didn't want to put in the time. It came down to I work those roadways nightly only taking a few days a year off. I am often in the danger zone be it on the interstates, Highways, Byways or even the City Streets. I took off this weekend just to gather my thoughts and spend some time here on the message board. I've been looking out at the Ocean and reflecting on the first half of the year. The growth TowForce has seen as both the number old members and new members surge is quite extraordinary. I hope to see more participation as this form of social media is still the most time effective. I'll add a story about the last run I was sent on Friday Morning prior to heading out. I was set to be off at 0600. At 0530 a run came in a vehicle was stopped on one of the bridges. So, even though I was set to leave for the weekend I headed out. Four lanes of traffic and we're in the right Vehicles mostly Truckers Flying by 4 to 6 feet from me as I exit the truck and all I can think is just don't let this be the time I become a statistic. I hooked and booked, but because it was a rear wheel drive and i was a ways to the next exit I needed to put a strap on it just in case. Before anyone says you didn't put that on dollies, yeah right! Every additional second you spend in the Danger Zone is a second closer to the end of your life. You Are Not Invincible and if you haven't figured out with a tower down every 6 to 7 days then I can't help you. I do feel that those who watch these incidents do take their roadside safety far more serious then the 7 out of 10 that just don't know and yes the numbers of uniformed drivers is more than 50%. The majority work for companies that are either uniformed or simply do not hold safety meetings and stress safety. Even seat belts with nearly 40% of Tow Truck Operators that either do not wear their seat belt or do not regularly where it. Yes, there are instances where the seat belt has contributed to death. However, that number is less than 3 percent and possibly even under 1 percent. As for the White Line it should be in your head at all times to stay away from the roadway. However, I have noticed over the years nearly as many Tow Operators have been killed or injured entering or exiting the truck. Having eyes in the back of your head "Being aware of what is going on" is very important to ones safety. Focusing only on the task of removing the vehicle will get you killed. I often advise others of the dangers which increases my own awareness although still leaving me more vulnerable then they are for having advised them. Watch the Traffic not me is what I tell them YELL if there is a vehicle approaching I need to be made aware of. Some say put them in the truck, I want them where they can flee and also be an additional set of eyes. Some use Cones, Flags, Flashing Lights, etc. and that's fine when you're in the roadway for an extended about of time. When the time is a few minutes often less than 3 minutes, use of a WARNING DEVICE adds seconds to the time spent in the Danger Zone! Now. I know that there are many more here to contribute to this discussion, chime in add your thoughts. What was the last Danger Zone you entered and how did you deal with it?

UPDATE: OHP releases info on deadly I-44 crash, identifies victims FLETCHER, Okla. (TNN) - Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to a fatal incident Wednesday afternoon. The crash happened around noon on I-44, one mile east of Fletcher. In their report, OHP said that a pickup truck was being loaded onto a wrecker. Bernando Martinez, of Oklahoma City was standing alongside the pick up truck when a car hit him, sending him an unknown distance. OHP said that Martinez died at the scene due to the massive extent of his injuries. He was transported back to Oklahoma City. After striking Martinez, the car, driven by Karen Cole, from New Mexico, continued partially onto the wreckers rollback bed. RESOURCE LINK

MadGaines Message to Viewers: Bring the beer! We need to unite today. The bottom feeders are brewing up a storm again. We need to show the industry that we don't play these games. Unreasonably high quotes for basic dry van FTL Lies about maintenance issues and illness because higher priced shipments were found. Relationships forgotten. Shippers suddenly remembering they have contracts. TowZone Asks, how can the Towing Industry Benefit from understanding the trucking industry. Is it even important for the Towing Industry to understand the Trucking Industry? Oh, be warned or advised this video is over two hours long so those who would like to view it may find that like me running it in the background instead of the TV or Radio Works. Also, is this something that members would like to do at some point. While we have kicked it around and procrastinated we are going to put in the effort to make it happen. If you're interested leave a reply below. Hint: That Reply will get you an an additional entry in the weekly drawings which start back next week with 10 T-Shirts being drawn along with an additional prize. Didn't jump in the Roll Call here's another hidden opportunity.

I think it was a Repossession... Does that make it right no, however this type of towing has been done in this manner for many years. Snatch and Grab take them around the corner as this vehicle was transported. Then securing the vehicle properly for transport which may have likely happened off the roadway at the end of the video clip. I've done this 100's of times on repos over the years (I have not conducted a repo in 30 years). Recently I have been removing vehicles from dangerous locations prior to securing them properly in order to avoid confrontation. Each situation is different and as a tow truck operator we have to adjust for those situations. Again, I am not saying it's right as I fully support securing the vehicle properly for transport and often having someone to run block provides to the extra time to secure the vehicle. Although, that does place two individuals in harms way. The longer you spend in the danger zone the higher your chances for injury, be it on the street conducting a repo, parking violation or on the side of the interstate/highway. I watch far to many drivers spend additional time in the roadway securing vehicles with a 4 point tie down rather than moving them off the roadway first. It similar to changing a tire on such roadways. Each added second increases the odds of being struck and while it would be great to have a support unit on scene to assist. This industry has never progressed to that point. For what could have and should be done when conducting tows such as Repo's we need to seek answers from those who primarily conduct such tows. For police ordered tows in the vast majority of situations an officer is present.

Can anyone explain why they even continue to manufacture 19 ft beds in the US. Doesn't seem like they sell as many as to 21 and 22 ft beds. Seems the options should be 20 or 22 foot beds. But, then what do I know...

The image is that of a road service truck which could be owned by a towing company which could explain the wording. Regardless this is a road service tech and our thought's should be with all involved in this tragic incident.

I don't see a 396 badge, so I assume either it wasn't put back on or it's not an SS...

Thoughts and Prayers to both the Tow Truck Driver who has not been reported as located at this time. As well as the Police Officer who remains in Critical Condition without further updates to his status. Now, can someone advise me by either email or inbox if the REPLY Button on this topic is not working. In the past there would have been 4 dozen replies with the First 4 hours the Tower Down Topic was up. I Don't Get It.... Collective Thought is Important, we Pray they bring our fellow tow operator home one way or another. His family needs to know his fate as I can only imagine the pain they are going through at this point. God Bless