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TowZone

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Everything posted by TowZone

  1. Female road worker killed in hit-and-run on KZN north coast A female road worker died after she was knocked over in a hit-and-run accident on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Tuesday. The woman had been part of a team working on the M4 road works near Desainager, near Tongaat Beach. Kelsey Jae Meyrick of IPSS Medical Rescue said the 38-year-old woman was found lying down an embankment, at least 20 metres from where she was hit. “She suffered critical injuries. Once stabilised at the scene by IPSS Medical Rescue Advanced Life Support paramedics, she was carried up to embankment to the roadway by IPSS Search and Rescue members and CERT members,” Meyrick said. The woman was airlifted to hospital by the AMS helicopter for further care. Meyrick said despite the best efforts by the medical team, the woman succumbed to her injuries. She appealed for witnesses who can assist in tracking down the driver of the vehicle to contact local police. RESOURCE LINK Earlier this week, IOL reported on a tow truck driver who was critically injured when he was hit while attending to an accident on the N2 near Shakas Rock. It is believed that tow truck drivers from various towing companies had been attending an accident on the N2 when a vehicle failed to slow down and subsequently crashed into one of the towing vehicles and the driver.
  2. I somehow doubt the loophole will stand up in court. A Cause and Effect. Causation refers to the relationship of cause and effect between one event or action and the result. The Law of Cause and Effect is a fundamental principle that states that every action has a corresponding consequence.
  3. Wow, maybe I just have not been paying enough attention. But, I have never seen Law Enforcement Turn Out for a Fallen Tow Truck Operator like Tow Truck Operators Turned Out for Fallen Officers/Firefighter. Proud of our Towing Industry for showing respect! I will show them this the next time I hear how they cannot assist in a procession for a Fallen Tow Truck Operator!
  4. I have not kept up with the actual stats over the years. Being on the line almost every night, it just wasn't something I wanted to focus on. Is that wrong, looking back I could have likely taken that extra step. However, I feel I make up for it by keeping up with the Tower Down Topics and following the continuing stories which do not end with a tow truck procession. That's why, I wrote Lest We Forget Them on the Long Road Home! I just want those quoting a stat even if they stick with the 1 every 6 days. They are not saying 1 Tow Truck Operator is Killed every 6 days. That number has included all First Responders, POLICE, EMS, DOT, Road Service, and YES Tow Truck Operators who continue to hold the highest percentage of roadside deaths. I can only pray 9 days into 2024 we do not lay another industry member to rest. That's a complicated prayer as nearly all of these deaths are caused by distracted or impaired drivers. So, think about that the next time you make a run or happen upon an impaired driver. They may have damaged their vehicle, struck a curb, or run off the road. That driver could have been the one who took a life. That life could have been a Tow Truck Operator, that life could have been yours. I have known many an operator who took pity on them and did not report the incident. I have known at least a couple who learned later of a tragic event involving that same driver. I know one of them it was the very same night. After the driver was dropped off at their home they got into another vehicle and drove that vehicle impaired. Struck a Mother and Child, as I recall at least one of them didn't survive. So, let's keep the numbers real. Because they involve real lives!
  5. Next week you can find me on the corner of Tow411 and TowForce! I will be seeking the add New Patrons and Sponsors as we start the new year. January is one of our highest supporter renewal months and this year we need your assistance. Whatever you can do is much appreciated and February is known as Patron Appreciation Month. Please take a moment to look over the different supporter levels. TowForce Supporter Levels Start at - $29.00/yr. for Patron Level I Supporter - click here - $50.00/yr. for Patron Level II Supporter - click here - $75.00/yr. for Patron Level III Supporter - click here - $200.00/yr. for Patron Level III Supporter - click here Supporters for these Sponsorship Levels are also needed: - Silver Click Here - - Gold Click Here - Gold Plus Click Here - - Platinum Click Here If you are new here, these supporter-level requests are kept to a minimum. You will primarily see these request topics in January-February and July-August. Again, if you can assist in covering the costs associated with this community. We would appreciate the assistance as we continue to keep the annual rates low. Again, I will be out on that corner from January 11-15, 2024 watch this topic.
  6. Even if I cannot get 10 members to post they are attending this event I do have a request. There is a young professional in this industry that would benefit from attending this event. As well this young lady would be an asset to Hill Day. TowForce would like to assist in covering the expenses and we NEED Industry support to meet a goal. You can contribute to this effort by making a Pledge of $10 - $25 - $50 - $75 - $100 - $200 or more. If we have a company interested in a TowForce Sponsorship you could cover the entire expense. Let me know in response or via messenger. You can also call or text 502-376-3071
  7. Create a list of motor clubs and give each club a ranking of 1 through 10. Please only rank clubs you have done business with in the past 18 months. You can leave blank/skip numbers. However, if you only list one number. Well, then that will count as a 5. Otherwise, it messes with the algorithm. If your list is Motor Club Rep or AI-Generated the new system will kick it. Create your own list, this year you must be a member by December 31st. List Top 10 Clubs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. You can comment up to 50 words or less following the list. Those that exceed the limit or bash the clubs will find their reply has been removed. This list is not to attack any motor club, it is to showcase the top clubs. We believe Motor Clubs should strive to be at the top of the list. No funny business here this is serious, if you are doing Motor Club work then you should desire to see at least one Motor Club strive to be at the Top of the TowForce Motor Club List. Now, This began with Tow411 more than a decade ago. So, let's make this the most popular Motor Club Ranking we have ever conducted. This survey will end on or about January 15, 2024 (the original topic may change at any time). For those who prefer to remain anonymous, inbox me your list. There will not be an email address this year as message board membership is required and we are just too busy to monitor it. Note; that there were over 300 submissions last year. Our 2023 Goal is 400 responses, should the goal not be met the polling may be extended up to but not exceeding 30 days. WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN THIS YEAR! ADDED NOTE: You do not have to fill in all the numbers. If your company has done business with only one club or three clubs you can assign them any number from 1 to 10. However, each club must have its own number as in not all clubs can be number 1 or number 10. If you have a club you consider to be the worst club then you can just note that you consider them to be the worst. We are then able to factor that into the numbers which are applied to our system of calculating the rankings. Don't ask who is number one at this point because while we may see a trend, we do not know until all the numbers have been calculated. It is not as cut and dry as you think and no we do not disclose the factors and methods that go into the algorithm. If we did someone else would likely use it without our permission. Keep the rankings coming in as we are looking for a magic number of 400 responses. Thanks Again, there will not be a 2023 Email Address to Submit Your List to because of several issues. If you feel the need to remain anonymous then you are welcome to inbox me your list. Thanks
  8. We have a list of names, however there should be a signup list posted soon.
  9. Seems this 1st Amendment Auditor one was resurrected this from over 2 years ago.
  10. Okay, someone clarify this Struck & Killed. Was this a Tow Truck Driver or a Truck Driver, in none of the images is there a Tow Truck visible. Only a Semi Tractor Trailer Truck. News Link with Helicopter Video: https://www.fox5dc.com/news/tow-truck-driver-hit-killed-while-helping-motorist-in-prince-georges-co-maryland-state-police-say Can anyone advise, is the tow truck back at the overpass?
  11. Hope every one of our members in Florida made it through this one safe and sound. Have not heard how much cleanup this is to contend with. So, when possible we hope those in the path of the storm chime in. We also do not want to forget about those being impacted up the coast. We have several members in Georgia, and South Carolina. God Bless!
  12. Keys Words: Some Things Should be Mirco Managed. That would mean?
  13. In 2023 there has been One First Responder killed every Nine Days. This includes Tow Truck Operators and DOT/SSP. There have been no Road Service Techs/Drivers Killed this year. It has been 31 days since a Tow Truck Operator was Killed.
  14. Wow, I was busy all day and yes I did mean to get this up 24 hours ago. It did not get done and Canadian Members are as important to TowForce as all our International Members. We think of you as closer Brothers & Sisters and fall a little short sometimes. In this case 24 hours short.
  15. Oh, this guy was on the property and they didn't handle the situation in a professional manner. Why because they were unaware and therefore untrained to deal with such encounters. Going on the offensive is the last resort and regardless of what you think about the guy with the camera. Being respectful of everyone will resolve and avoid many confrontations. And those times when it doesn't that is on the one who did not return that respect. I've spent years in and researching these encounters. I like to think that I am prepared to handle such situations because I have a few times. I hope you never find yourself in this situation. However, I hope because of these posts you unknowingly develop your own professional response. Second Lesson: Just go about your business and ignore the individual. Even if that individual desires to project themselves as an object rather than a human being. Yes, this does have its limits and I would have escorted this individual off the property after professionally inquiring about the intent. Inform them they are welcome to record from the public way and not on private property without express permission. End with, if you want to request permission, you can submit that in writing. It just shows a willingness to work with the individual which 99% of the time will not follow through and if they do, it is denied for privacy reasons.
  16. At one time the police had the authority to transport an individual to a Psych Ward for a 48-hour evaluation. Then either because the system was abused or misused and groups began to lobby that it was inhumane that ended. It is the same with juvenile detention now as well. So these individuals are allowed to roam among society even though they are both a danger to themselves and others. What is taking place in this video is an individual who has seen others known as Auditors creating content. This content is used to build a channel and a following which is then monetized for a profit. Do they have the right to do this Yes, but like everything there are limits, and they will sometimes push those limits to achieve their desired outcome. I have done what I can to spread the word about these individuals. Thankfully, this practice has yet to be common. Failure to Train for the possible encounters is a failure to properly train. Just as a lack of training reflects on a company, this will as well. Keep that in mind. First Lesson: Never say get that camera out of my face. The camera already is in your face and you just made that guy day with that reaction.
  17. Wilmington, once again, is contracting with a New Castle-based tow company that has a history of charging drivers for its services despite $0 promises in its bids for city contracts. Three months after Delaware’s largest city received two bids for its towing and impoundment services, officials announced last week that it signed a one-year contract with City Towing Services LLC, a contractor that has performed these services for Wilmington for years and has been at the center of a federal lawsuit over Wilmington’s parking, towing and impoundment practices. Mayor Mike Purzycki defended the city’s decision to contract with City Towing, pointing to the business’s low bid as the reason for the New Castle-based company’s selection. According to the city’s bid results, City Towing bid $0 for both towing and daily vehicle storage. First State bid $160 for each tow and $20 per day for storing the vehicle. Both tow companies are parties to the federal lawsuit, which claims Wilmington allows private companies to tow legally parked cars that have unpaid parking tickets totaling over $200, scrap those vehicles when the outstanding debt is not paid within 30 days, and keep the proceeds. City officials promise that changes to Wilmington’s towing practices and revisions to the contract with City Towing will improve an inherently “fraught” system, but critics point out that many of those reforms were already outlined in earlier towing contracts or are required by law. Institute for Justice attorney Will Aronin, who represents city residents who filed the federal suit against Wilmington in 2021, said the changes announced May 23 aren’t substantially different from what was already required. “It’s just saying they are going to do a better job of supervising, which they had to do based on the contract and their constitutional obligations, anyway,” Aronin told Delaware Online/The News Journal. What towing policies did Wilmington change? The most notable change in the City Towing contract is the extension given to drivers to retrieve their cars. The tow company now must hold a car for 60 days before selling or scrapping the vehicle. Previously, it was 45 days. The city also promises City Towing will be required to provide notification of plans to take the title of a car to the Wilmington police chief and finance director at least two weeks before pursuing the state process for taking the title. The business cannot take the car until the police chief or finance director confirms the tow company has held the vehicle for the required 60 days, and it must provide the city with a mailed, certified notice that will be sent to owners of towed vehicles no later than 72 hours after the car is towed. City Towing must also allow drivers access to the storage lot and their vehicle to obtain personal items from the car 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which attorney Aronin pointed out is already required by law. Will this solve the towing issues? Many of these efforts were announced last October and included promises to lower parking ticket fines and improve the ticket appeals process in Wilmington. Purzycki expressed confidence the reforms would address the issues drivers and residents in Wilmington face. “We are doing our best,” he said. “I think the things we have done to ensure against the kind of problems we’ve heard of in the past, I think they are going to be better.” LAWSUIT PROGRESSES: 'Wilmington can't have it both ways,' federal judge orders towing suit to move forward Parking advocates, however, are less convinced, expressing concern about city officials claiming certain reforms as “new” when those policies and requirements were spelled out in previous towing contracts or were assumed to be performed by city officials as part of contractual oversight. “Some of this stuff has been in previous contracts,” said Ken Grant, a parking advocate and public affairs professional in Wilmington. “And other stuff it’s like, ‘Wait, you weren’t providing that type of oversight before?’” Purzycki wouldn’t say why the city has avoided investigating or performing an audit into how many cars are towed and later sold or scrapped by Wilmington’s contracted tow companies. Since the federal civil rights suit was filed in September 2021, Wilmington has refused to provide information on the number of cars towed and later scrapped or sold using Delaware’s myriad exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act to deny records requests on the basis of “pending litigation.” Clarity regarding the city’s towing practices and how many cars were sold or scrapped by its contractors may not be revealed until documents are released in the federal suit. That lawsuit, of which Aronin is a lead attorney, remains ongoing, and the parties are undergoing discovery. “I’m glad to see that the city is responding to our suit by promising to make these badly needed changes,” Aronin said in a news release. “But this doesn’t address the root of the problem. The only way for the towing company to make money is to keep people’s cars and the city is still letting that happen.” RESOURCE LINK
  18. Soon, entering the last category in order to complete the list. Seems there were some social media posts that were not assigned number to factor in. Time has been my worse enemy.
  19. Wow, they look similar to some Fiat Tail Lights I have had over the years.
  20. While there was only a brief connect between the live streamer and the tow truck operator. I can tell you that the situation was not handled properly by the tow truck operator. I am not going to go into much depth. I am just going to give you a few of suggestions of how to deal with a live streamer. 1. If a live streamer shows up on the scene. You are already on video, do not say "Don't Film Me" just ignore them as much as possible. 2. If they enter your work perimeter or zone. Befriend them with a Fist Bump. Then Ask them "What is your YouTube Channel?" 3. At this point you have taken control. Now say, I am okay with you recording. However, for your safety I ask that you stay back. 4. If that doesn't work, make like to want them to record everything you are doing. Even prompt them as though you want to be the star. 5. Once you have taken full control you are no longer of interest to them. Why, because they are not creating a documentary. 6. The goal is to create a situation which plays well for their audience. It's all about monetizing the channel. You need to be okay with that. This tow truck driver did well in that he did not interact with the live streamer again. However, he missed the opportunity to not be bullied at another accident scene. Just respect that they have the right to record in public, even though we may not desire to be on camera. Now, knowing what I just said "What Would You Do?". I know many would still go on the offensive.
  21. During the first couple weeks of May each year I bring this topic back around. Well it's mid April and I already got into poison ivy. Have not idea where it was because it looked like just a small scratch. Then it began to spread. So, be careful on recoveries and even tows.
  22. MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A tow truck driver is charged after allegedly stealing a phone from a car he towed while working. According to Memphis Police, on February 5 at 3:00 a.m., the victim was in a car accident and called a tow truck company, Upgrade Auto Sales, to transport his vehicle to his home. The affidavit says after the suspect, Kevin Bryant, dropped the car off, the victim searched for his iPhone 13 Pro Max, which he had left in his vehicle after the accident. The phone, valued at $1,500, was not there. He then used his find my phone app and tracked his iPhone to Bryant’s home address, which was confirmed by Upgrade Auto Sales. The victim knocked on the door and was told Bryant was not there. At 9:45 a.m., he tracked his phone again to a different address and called MPD to meet him at that location. Officers arrived on the scene alongside the victim and were able to speak with the homeowners. They informed the officers that Upgrade Auto Sales towing had just left their home towing a vehicle. Several other attempts were made to retrieve the phone. Kevin Bryant was charged with Theft of Property. RESOURCE LINK
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