rreschran

Crashes by alleged medical marijuana in California are on the rise, but California offers NO exception to a motorist under the influence of MJ. I don't know of a source for hard-numbers counting crashes and the precentages caused by drivrs and MJ.

For the states of Hawaii, Colorado, Washington and Oregon, these states have legalised laws which, in the long run, puts towers at risk.

For interesting read, here's a link of a report by the National Highway Safety Administration that was sent to Congress July 2017.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/812440-marijuana-impaired-driving-report-to-congress.pdf                              R.

How horribly tragic.  

Note:  Anton Robinson, the mom's alleged fiance' and abductor, was sentenced to 25-years for ambushing and shooting to death of repo agent Alan Humphries s he was seated in his tow truck.

Hi James ... Google: Tow Truck Operator Job Listings and you'll find an inclusive number of links that list tow operator jobs.

                   Google: Tow Truck Driver Job Listings and you'll find an inclusive number of links that list tow operator jobs.

https://www.indeed.com/q-Tow-Truck-Driver-jobs.html?vjk=8cf0099ee21487fe

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Tow-Truck-Driver

https://www.facebook.com/towcareers/                                                                    Good Luck in your search.       R.

By re-reading Sgt. Gilbert's statement, I'm left with a numb-feeling that, in the grand scheme of things, tow operator's are on the bottom-rung of the proverbial ladder. Just like the many July articles describing how tower, Will Ellis, was knock off the Don Holt Bridge in South Carolina. While there was some mention about Will, the focus was on Deputy Constanza, his injuries and him coming back to work. Story after story was about the deputy with minimal focus as to Will's death and the reason he was killed.  

I would have garnered a far much better impression had Sgt. Gilbert's statement read, "Thank God nothing happened to our troopers, but pray for the souls of the two tow truck drivers that were needlesly and tragically killed."           R.

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.