rreschran

Hi All ... just a message to pass the message of personal safety if you're work takes you out and about into the inner cities. In many places across America, communities are boarding up in anticipation for the freaks that will riot after the vote verdict is in. For the next few days, please don't put yourself in harm's way and always rember your location. If you have to get out of your truck, let your dispatcher know. And especially important if you're on a police call or a crash where LE is present, remember that these fools are shooting at the cops for no reason ... and that put's you in harm's way. Christine and I pray for your continued safety and that of your families. R.

Finally it's nice to see one of the industry's big trainer's posting messages to publically promote white-line safety. When it comes to tow operator survival, a message like this one is specific to the root problem of towers being killed ... not that of slow-down move-over, but towers working off the white-line whenever possible. Here's hoping tower's take heed. R.

Thanks for sharing your pics of old iron. That for sure looks stout and job capable. But, if that truck were in California ... there's a good chance it wouldn't be around due to strict air-quality laws in this state. R.

Hey Josh ... welcome. As me being the consummate old duffer and non-tech saavy ... what in the hell did you ask? That's waaaaaaay beyond my pay grade. R.

Twenty-one year's ago, I co-wrote with editor, Ryan Vaarsi, an article in American Towman, entitled, "These Ladies Can Lead", with focus to professional ladies working the towing and recovery industry. I had the pleasure of interviewing and meeting Stacy at, Chio Towing, in Bremerton in the Pacific Northwest. I have watched Stacy's participation and advancement to see her grow her business along with her husband. I'm pleased to see her accomplishments and am honored to know her as a leader in the industry and to be her friend. R.

I like these posts that challenge a really close look at how small details of law can impact one's tow businesses. I'd like to jump into this fight having been in both California law enforcement and towing nearly all my life. In-advance ... I apologize for the length. Fact: One doesn't have to be a member of an association to read and know PPI laws of any state. KUDO'S Mr. Car for being knowlegable of the proper side of the law. California's PPI impound law, 22658, is one of the most extensive, lengthy and all inclusive PPI laws of all states. It's my perception that, while the, "Letter of the Law", in-part says tow companies, "has a public pay phone", this section of law ISN'T written with specific wording to include that the phone has to be working or operable. How ignorant is this section as it regards current day technology and wording I believe is questionable and outdated. OK, I know what some of you are gonna' say, but could the missing wording be a loop-hole, or is it just my flippant response? Perhaps it could be one or the other, but, none-the-less, there's NO wording specific to the phone's operational capability. If it were to come down to the sake of argument in court, I'd personally stand my ground and provide a reasonable rebuttal based on today's towing operations. Only the court can decide. Found deep within the narrative of California's PPI law defines, Sub-section 22658 (n)(c)(3), it states - "Has a public pay telephone in the office area that is open and accessible to the public." At one time, San Diego's (and elsewhere), the local predatory towing was so out-of-control, this section was completely re-defined so to curtail tow companies that were beyond control. Their illegal actions ultimately resulted in a predatory task force within the District Attotney's Office, called, the, "Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit." I believe the reason to counter is simple: The, "Spirit of the Law", suggests, and, it's my opinion that, everyone who doesn't have a phone doesn't have one, not because they can't afford it ... they don't have a cell-phone because they don't want one. Even people who are unemployed and living on the streets have a pay phone. Even my five-year-old grandson has a cell-phone, and, for the person whose car is in-impound, if they don't have a phone, I'm confident someone with them has a phone. But, then again, I don't make the laws. Allow me to submit an article link, from the San Diego Union newspaper that covered this topic in 2016 and is a valuable rebuttal NOT to have a pay-phone at your tow company, but leads to other means in providing customers with phone service. Link: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/data-watch/sdut-sdc-pay-phones-2016apr14-htmlstory.html Most of the companies I know offer, on-request, the use of a land-line phone with FREE-CALL capability, but that phone is plugged into their hard-wired system for their business offices. They have a sign next to their rate boards inviting customers to request a manager or supervisor regarding "special requests." Even small tow companies have land-line systems to provide requesting customers phone service. While this post isn't legal advice, if you allow a, "requesting customer", to use a phone, by all means direct them to an office phone. If you're that one owner, budget tow company, working out of your tow truck with only your cell-phone and have no hard-wired phone in your tow yard's trailer, your's is a decision you'll have to make to be in compliance with the law. BTW ... Amazon sells Pay-Phones, but require a hard-line. My mid-sized company had an inside desk-phone that could be made available for, "requesting customers", however, that meant customer's would come inside the business office, even after hours. To not allow customers into the office goes against, "open and accessible". But, that was year's back and the safety and security needs of today's tow businesses are far more necessary than ever based on customer violence. Additionally, I'm not offering our company's or my personal cell-phones to unhappy and disgruntled vehicle owners only to have them tuck tail and run. Note: Since I began towing in the mid-1960's, my parent's company and my own was never accused of not having a pay-phone, but then again, my business wasn't operating outside of the law. Perhaps the inclusion of this section was to curtail and enforce companies providing illegal PPI practices? My comments are how I interpret 22658 CVC. Under no circumstances am I providing legal advice or council. I don't believe any tow company employee would be arrested for not providing the use of any phone upon request, UNLESS, there are other mitigating factors. I'm pretty sure the cops have better things to do. R.

Hi Doreen ... just a side note to say, "Thank You", for all of the support that you've provided over the years. You're one of a few who stay connected with these tragedies and your kinds words don't go unnoticed.And, it's always great to see you at the tow shows. Christine says, "Hi", too. R.

You have snow and ice Grumps ...we have sand and mud. But, for in-the-sand situations, place long 4x4's under the T-Bar of the wheel-lift to act like a snow-shoe atop the snow, but not so much in soggy or mushy terrain.

It appears that you John are a new participant to Tow Force. We welcome you with open-arms and are thankful for your survival. We continue to send good energy and prayers to the woman for her full recovery. R.

I write this message on behalf of my sister in-in law and her husband, who, for the past week, were driving from the Pacific Northwest to Tarpon Springs, Florida, traveling in a new Chevy pickup pulling a 24’ foot, two-axle travel trailer. One of the driver’s-side tires went flat and they pulled onto the highway’s shoulder. After about ten-minutes, one of Florida’s, “Road Rangers”, stopped and changed the tire for them. Afterwards, Annette and Bob called to tell me of their, “scary”, experience and how much they were impressed with the Ranger’s safety and experience in helping them out. While Bob is a retired, over-the-road trucker, he could have changed the tire himself, yet the Ranger was more than willing to do the work. Bob wanted me to know just how much he appreciated the service provided to him by the assisting Ranger. While I don’t have the Ranger’s name, please accept my thanks on their behalf. Just a note to all of the Rangers, FSP, DOT, NTTA Texas, Help, and all other tow and service operators running the highways … “Thank you for your service and for putting yourself in harm’s way.” You are appreciated. R.

This video is one direct cause first resonders continue to be killed at an alarming rate. SDMO laws don't protect towers and first responders in Oregon or any state in the US, Mexico and Canada. The newscaster made one specific comment that caught my attention where he said ... "and the Oregon law that's SUPPOSED to protect him." Costly citations that don't hit motorists square in the pocket won't lead to changing the wrongul or unlawful behavior. While Sergeant Janes clearly suggests enforcement is lacking, giving a verbal warning is like telling my Grandkids to clean their rooms, i.e., no enforcement, no accountability. All that (news) segment did was confirm to Oregon drivers that when they "forget" to slow down and move over, all they'll get is a verbal warning. The message LE sends is deadly wrong. I still believe the best safety consideration is for towers and first responders is is to work OFF the white-line whenever possible because SDMO laws don't work. R.

It looks like the carrier's deck is jacked up. But, how many of you would use the wheel lift to walk the truck out of situations like this? R.

Great pictures Eric ... Thanks for sharing. R

Nice work Grumps ....but didja' get any candy?

Another tow company is being sued for not securing dollies onto a towed vehicle. Since this is a matter of safety training for tow operators, does your state's law require them? Even if there's no written vehicle code law in your state, do you use safety ratchets and straps to keep towed vehicles contained? Does it matter? R.

Army Rotators go well-back to the mid-1950. Mounted on five-ton Army M62 series wreckers. Sixty-five year's ago, work was conducted off a rotating platform where its technology has morphed into the monster rotator rigs of today. To think the tow truck in the bottom two photos looks more to be that of a logging truck, maybe a hay-buck truck; there's no five axles, outriggers, booms reaching to the sky, etc. Like Da Boss said ... "Just real men who knew how to do things right." I remember working those days where towing and recovery WAS a lot different. The industry's certainly come a long way. Thanks for sharing your old photos. R.

This truck got beat-up for sure, but the headache rack and the chain and binder rack took the brunt of the rearward inpact to the truck's cab. Amongst other reasons, I imagine that the driver could have been injured by all of the crap that launched from within the truck's interior as seen stacked atop the dashboard (stopped at :15 secs). For towers who carry a bunch of personal gear and equipment inside the truck with you, I require my drivers to be sure it's secured where it doesn't injure them in the event of an accident. R.

Another tow company is being sued for not securing dollies onto a towed vehicle. Since this is a matter of safety training for tow operators, does your state's law require them? Even if there's no written vehicle code law in your state, do you use safety ratchets and straps to keep towed vehicles contained? Does it matter? R.

Hey Spence ... I'm not able to be there in-person, but please know that Christine and I will be there in-spirit as we send to you our prayers to you in support of Casie and Nick. Here's hoping that there's a fantastic turn-out of trucks and drivers. R.

I'm sorry, but, with due respect, I question the tower's choice to go into the water so to focus on what lessons are learned here? The City of Port St. Lucie is on the Atlantic Ocean and near by Lake Okeechobee. Both the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and Martin County Fire Rescue have dive teams trained to make water rescues. As Grump's alleuded to, it's far too dangerous to go into water and attempt these kinds of recoveries unless the tow operator is a certified diver. For example, I resided in San Diego CA (on the Pacific Ocean) for most of my life growing up in the tow industry. To this day, I don't know any San Diego tow companies that have certified divers on their staff. Water recoveries are generally worked by the lifeguards. I believe tow companies should have the name and number of a certified (salvage) driver company in their computer's resource/contacts page. If the officers were on-scene, why wasn't a dive team called? But, thankfully they were equipped with a rescue disc and reacted quickly to save the operator. Thank you officer's Corona and Druga for saving Danny. And, using this as an example, I believe the LE community should make it policy that water rescues and recoveries ARE worked with professional divers and NOT tow operators, especially in locations where divers are accessible. There's a reality to suggest most cases, towers aren't divers and generally don't have the skills to go into cold, murky and deep water. Besides, once you enter the water, you become part of the food chain ... they've got big ass gators there in fresh water. R.

I see this as video evidence that the cheap plastic parking pawl may have stripped due to the weight and shaking of the Prius. For those towers who think parking pawl's will hold the vehicle's weight, car's don't simply shift themselves without keys-on and one's foot on the brake. At least, that's the way it is in my wife's Prius. R.

Another senseless loss for the industry. Christine and I send our prayers to the tower, his family and the company he worked for. That's four tower's killed in 14-days. R.

Yes Ron, I have encountered these, "citizens",plenty of times. Let it be said that, "I HATE", these individuals who are guilty of being Stupid in Public. This video has all the ear markings of a questionably disturbed individual and comparably to the US Supreme Court case, Cahlinsky v New Hampshire, that said words which, "by their very utterance, inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace and not protected by the second ammendment. That was in 1942 where she could have been arrested. In riot terms, the same would apply to those attempting to incite a riot ... an arrestable offense. In current day use, "fighting words" are also known as, "Hate Speech." Not so much today where In a seperate case U.S. District Court in Chicago, April 2018, the court stated, "fits of rudeness", aren't illegal as in the use of flipping off the cops. Myself and many other have mentioned the phrase, "The New Norm", where these instigators are out and about creating havoc everywhere and trying to bait LE into actions against them. The fact that she has another officer's business card indicates that she follows the cops and creates these interactions. By the meaning of ANTIFA on Wikipedia, she has a similar mentality. While she could have been arrested for interferring with the officer's investigation, the sergeant showed great restraint for meeting her demands and put out yellow police tape. Here, is it possible that she could have been arrested for being a danger to herself and others? Should she have been taken for a psych eval? But, if you noticed, she went another direction at trying to goad the sergeant into arresting her. If you look at her Facebook page, you'll see that she has reqular and frequent anger issues directed at Denver's police where she's posted other videos just like this one. Phone camera's are the bane of everywhere and every situation. I believe the best advice suggests ignoring the inciter. As this video demonstrates, she eventually went away after she didn't get further recognition and wasn't arrested (don't feed the bears and they'll go elsewhere). IGNORE HER ! ! ! ! But, had she been arrested, her video would have been good evidence of her interferring with the investigation and at minimal, she was in the roadway numerous times when ordered not to be. As far as loading the tow truck, the young man in the red jacket is seen early-on dealing with police officers soon after 20-minutes and again on the carrier. I think he was in the black Rover or the green MGB. Perhaps those scooters were his and he's reclaiming his property? As far as the load process, there's all kinds of recognizible safety mistakes made that are questionable, but if that's how that company works, it's their liability. I'll anxiously look forward to the time her vehicle gets stolen and she has to deal with Denver's police department. I believe towers should be in-check with the personal anger management skills when dealing with these fools. R.

I'm saddened to have learned about this double fatality. I submit my opinion to piggy-back comments about yesterday's double fatal of the Montana operators killed by preventable actions. What a horrible set of circumstances. Christine and I send our prayers to the families of these towers, and to Spence Hanser and all of his team … so sorry for your loss. Montana through the years has been one of the safer states. In the comments posted after Ron announced the sad news, I believe Mr. Bob's comments to be spot-on; "Sometimes no matter what you do, someone can end-up in your set-up." Why? … Because traffic’s still flowing. And, I additionally agree with Grump’s message suggesting, “Perhaps it’s time to start completely closing the highways?” TIM says, the reason for not closing highways was to prevent back-up, "in the que", and not to create secondary impact. Sure, that may have been true back in the mid-2000's when SDMO was created? But, fast-forward to the current state of highway and Interstate affairs, that reasoning does nothing for first responders who continue to be killed in huge-numbers. It's been said that, keeping traffic flowing saves gas, doesn't create conjestion, doesn't cause loss of income to communities effected by closure, but WHAT ABOUT the lives of tow operators, first responders, and other roadside workers? Why isn't there extensive emphasis, focus and federal funding generated to protect on-highway workers? Would it not be possible to at least put a single patrol car (or DOT trained and equipped truck) far-back in the pack as a slow-moving traffic break? Does it make sense to allow traffic to run full-speed ahead when there's ice-like conditions? While I agree that LE doesn't make available units to assist, what suggestions can you make so to better create, "on-scene protections", for first responders ... slow traffic/stop traffic, etc? Do you have any creative ideas? For rural places across the US, assets aren’t available and that’s the cold hard reality. But, because the industry doesn’t stand together to lobby and secure this cause, towers will remain at the mercy of the motoring public. Note: From my list of approximately 980-tow operator’s killed and archived dating 1934, data shows as many as 10x, “double fatal”, scenarios caused by traffic accidents, crashes into semi-trucks, shootings, turf wars, even tow operator’s crashing into one another. This crash is the 4th double fatal where towers were working outside of their tow trucks when impact occurred. I add that although my list is one of many, numbers may be approximate, yet they provide solid proof as to the dangers the industry will continue to face. To date, as many as 22x towers have been killed as pedestrian workers on US highways versus 14x towers killed on US highways last year. That’s notably higher than last year while we still have the major holidays AND major weather ahead to deal with. One last consideration; when tow operator, Will Ellis, Jr., was struck and knocked off the Don Holt bridge, in Charleston, the driver of the pickup was not criminally charged. If there are no charges brought against the motorist responsible for these two deaths, what message does that send to the motoring public? Accordingly, in all of this ... I’m left with the feeling of complete helplessness for the industry's future. I’m sure you're feeling the same way. R.

... Any penny is far better than no penny, right? Reality says ... it might be a long time before they see a rate increase again across Florida"s panhandle. R.