TowZone

These Pads have been out for a few years and they are now becoming popular. The reason for the popularity is ease of use as compared to the boots. The wireless technology is new as every pad I have seen has a keypad. If the violator reaches their vehicle prior to tow they can open an app, pay the fines & fees, receive a code to remove the pad blocking the windshield. In the charges is a deposit on the pad, they return the device and receive a credit for that deposit. I have not personally seen or heard of anyone using these, however that seem to be a better alternative and it still incorporates a tow truck same as the boot. To me if I am running a professional operation in today's world I am looking at these.

Now follow me more PPI companies tow less than half the parking violators as they could have. due to drive offs.  Boots are a pain and place the driver at risk when removing the boot alone. Will these become the norm, I don't know they have not really taken off...

OK, if calling a few members out it what it takes to get more input into these subjects. Then the time has come to do just that as I see little to nothing of genuine value on other forms of social media. Seriously nothing has replaced the discussion found on a message board. When and if they do get started, it's like "squirrel" and they're over.

Where is @JustinCruse @Blkwill @Kurt Wilson and I'll add more as I have time. Gotta Run...

Randall, I need clarification as well to the current status of Hawaii's SDMO law. However, If I am not mistaken did hear in a News Reports that Tow Trucks were just added in the past year. With that said, I could never be convinced that any such SDMO Laws would ever have an effect on the manner a distracted or under the influence driver is operating the vehicle.

Just thinking this could have been any of us on a given day working the roadways.

Be Safe Out There.... This Driver was Very Lucky to have escaped serious injury.

For those who have not seen the Video News Story. It is now available on YouTube and has been added to the topic.

FHP: Driver dead following crash involving semi-truck in St. Johns County

FHP says a semi-truck was parked along Interstate 95 NB and was somehow struck by a tow truck.

A tow-truck driver is dead following a crash involving a semi-truck in St. Johns County early Tuesday morning.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Darren Grincewich, 34, of Satsuma, Fla. was killed as a result of the crash.

According to a crash report released by FHP, the incident happened at 4:15 a.m. on I-95 near mile marker 302. 

FHP says a semi-truck was parked along Interstate 95 NB and was somehow struck by a tow truck. The driver of the tow truck was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers say.

The exact cause and chain of events are still under investigation by FHP.

RESOURCE LINK

A search for the driver Darren Grincewich revealed he may have been employed by Cochran Motorsports, Hastings, FL.

The 411 was a great bed. That jib appears to be homemade and may just pull out of the guide. The unit was likely used on a race car track in it's final days.

Which leads one to question if some sort of reciprocity could be struck between the two states. Certainly seems logical to me.

Chad Yarbrough said:

"emergency or first responder designation, we could increase training and evolve into a "respectable career" stereotype instead of the non professional stereotype so often given to the tow industry."

Should the Industry be able to secure a type of responder designation. It would likely have effects the industry would not want to accept. While I agree Tow Trucks such be able to take the same precautions emergency vehicles take to secure an accident scene or simply prepare a vehicle for tow. I have to ask how many companies would actually comply to those standards which would be set and how would those companies that insure the industry respond. While I believe this could certainly lower the number of Tow Operator Life's Lost in a Year. I have been told it would increase the liabilities insurance companies experience as this would likely result in more of the insured equipment being struck. Life vs Property what will the insurance industry choose and where will the rates go.

Talk about rates, while a percentage of companies have raised rates and are now paying a living wage. The majority of the industry has not raised rates in order to not just raise the rate of pay, that should be a trickle effect. But, increase the level of Training would be a part of the equation. I know what percentage of the industry is involved in any formal training now. How many would comply if formal standards were to be set. This is something to industry must do more than research on.

I'll work on getting back to this topic, phone rings off the hook anymore with those attempting get back into the message board.

I looked at it and came to the conclusion it is a combination of the lighting and where the frame rail ends that gives that illusion the bed is not straight. I'd say if it were daylight we would not see it the same way.

Hill's Auto Body & Towing just checked out a well equipment older unit. Check the video out in "As Seen On YouTube" as they do a walk around and go into the boxes.

I'm there with you and I have those memories. The worse were the ones with light steering and wet payment. Lord must have been with me on those tows cause we were doing things that we were told or had little option. Some thirty years later there are plenty of options. This isn't funny, though the words "Send It" can be seen on other forms of Social Media. Young Guns take that as it's crazy but acceptable!

Randall, that bring up a variable that although I have heard of this before. I really have not considered the aspect of Tow Trucks which are subject to police contract tow calls at all hours. These companies in some areas either need additional staff to call out or do not have enough of these calls to run shifts. Therefore having access to the tow truck at a drivers residence is a necessity and sometimes and requirement. It would seem that the authorities would provide a waiver to these companies which would allow their drivers access to this equipment at their homes as long as all other rules are followed.

I have never understood why the towing companies that are effected by this are not dealing with it in a professional manner. However, I was told several years in regards to places like Holiday, Florida this was not an issue that was high on the state associations list. The suggestion was many just to move or hire drivers out of the area. Again, that was several years ago and I do not know what the current status is. We do have several members in that area that maybe able to advise.

Wow, Congrats Mike Penn. Keep us up to date on how to unit is working for you. It looks great, guess I'll have to make the next state association meeting.

@Mike Penn

@DragNTow @Detroit Wrecker

@Mike Penn

When you see any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road, "Move Over" and give them space.

My message I sent out to friends :

"Slow Down Move Over" Many of us are doing a job that becomes increasingly dangerous due to distracted driving. We do that job and hope to go home, you can make that happen or you can choose to drive distracted. Please Share as your friends might not understand now they can impact a life.

I feel we need to get some association leaders into the conversation as they have been making advances. I fear that individuals within an outside the industry striking out on their own are only going to create larger issues.

But, then we take a look at the types of companies that have lost drivers. It seems all the perceptions that companies that do not train or compensate their drivers is dispelled. Thus, that would leave one to believe that regardless of the amount of training often these tragic instances occur. So, what do we take from that?