rreschran

Incredible ... it's rare to see a semi ride up the bed. I'm glad John survived this crash. R

This police cam video is a great example of one of those, "OH SHIT", moments where tower's chase their trucks and sometimes wind-up being run-over and killed. In many years, I've archived as many as 15x tow operators who were killed by their rolling/runaway tow trucks or carriers when the E-Brakes weren't set or they failed to hold the truck in-place. I'm glad this tower wasn't hurt To that point, in EVERY 16-hour tow truck course I teach, I count at least four or five tower's who "forget" to put E-Brakes on, especially in wreckers and carriers that have automatic transmissions ... how embarassing ... how incredibally dangerous. And, I'll bet you this tow operator wasn't cited for failing to set the Emergency brake? In California, Vehicle Code Section 26450 states, "Every motor vehicle shall equipped with a service brake system and every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with a parking brake system. Both the service brake and parking brake shall be separately applied." Like wearing seatbelts, I believe E-Brakes should be part of every tower's routine. R.

In all due respect to tow companies that have rotators, in the big picture of the towing and recovery industry, to me, rotators aren't, "old school". Recoveries like this are common in small, rural towns where roadways are narrow and windy. And, there are many, many, many, rural tow companies that don't have the luxury of having rotators in their Mom n' Pop fleets'. For small companies that don't have rotators or available big rigs, competent training for these kinds of "over-the-rail" recoveries should be taught ... that's old school. In my CHP light-duty recovery classes, towers are taught how-to recover old school especially when rotators aren't available or respond from a considerable distance away. My photo simply shows two competitor companies working together to get the job done when rotators aren't available. (The cones represent a Jersey Wall or crash rail). Especially when casualty vehicles are totalled like the one shown above, two wreckers, working side-by-side gets the job done in the same amount of time. If you're company has rotator equipment, keep that monster working. But, if you don't have a rotator, the same recovery can be worked with light-duty wreckers and competent operator skills. R.

Charging chump-change to put your lives on the line doesn't make sense. Congratulations Mark for your efforts to apply for a rate increase. I salute all tow companies that apply for rate raises with LE ... if ya' don't ask ... ya' don't get. Right? R.

With all the horror in the world, why is this so newsworthy in the same manner some law abiding citizens can't make their mortgage payments due to Covid lay-offs? Oh the humanity ! ! ! ! I personally will vouch for Jan Qualkenbush, owner of Jan’s Towing, to say that he's a long-time, upstanding, California business owner and wouldn't participate in anything shoddy or illegal. If the City of Azusa offered the advantage, it wasn't Jan's Towing that initiated the extension. That article was completely unfair, expecially when Covid is bringing small businesses like Jan's to their knees. Keep in-mind that your newpaper made the statement, "None of the tow truck companies said they needed or asked for this provision." To the media I say, "Shame on you", how about reporting news that isn't poking small business in a bad light as they experience these unprescedented conditions? R.

I've seen these written statements hundreds of times where wrongful-death attorney's provide comments before an official investigation in the case is completed. While the CHP's MAIT accident investigation team is one of the best in the US, there's no rocket-science in not knowing that the woman was killed by the carrier's deck striking her seated torso based on the impact damage and the removed passenger-side door. How Sad. R.

Hey Mr. Stubb ... Ron and Grumps provided you good info, but requiring a signature on an inventory report, is that the same consideration as requiring someone to sign a hold harmless agreement? Mr. McGoven oftentimes comments that hold harmless agreements aren't worth much in-court. Technically, are they one in the same? I personally required my drivers to prepare a solid photo inventory that's well documented and shoot for the owner to sign. But, what about vehicles where no owner or responsible party is present? If they don't sign or aren't willing to sign, one has to consider their motive. Is requiring having someone sign the form one of those stupid, "I signed under durress", conditions in having their car towed? While it's never the best solution to refuse the non-signing party service, I believe a solid, "photo inventory", is the tower's best evidence especially combined with written documentation like what you're preparing. May I include one more suggestion to add? Left of the, "Date", location, there's space to add a line to indicate, "Call Number or Incident Number", to also tie the report to the exact vehicle and other documentation. You can never have enough info ... I like the inclusion of the, "Comments", box. Most tow companies (here) requiredrivers to take as many as six pics per vehicle, especially police towers. Our drivers are trained to focus on pictures of locations where common damage occurs and those said to be typical tow damages, i.e., under front valances stuffed nose first, both front and rear plates visible, outside edges of rims scuffed/scratched, missing mirror glass, windshield rock stars, missing radio antennaes, rear tailpipe's dragged, and paying special attention to damaged CV-boots. It's all a process right? When documentation is solid and presented in-court, towers typically prevail. However, auto club representatives are quick to call tower's at-fault before tow damage is proved. I personally loathe how auto clubs handle damage claims. Good for you for taking time to see that you pre-towed damage inventory is complete. I salute your efforts. R.

Dear VIctoria Towers: To this I say, "Covid is just another excuse as it seems like towing derelict vehicles, trailers and boats have been going on far longer than Covid." But, in all respect to Victoria towers, WHY do you continue towing these for free? Note: To me, a burned-out boat in a vacant yard should be a community, "trash and debris", problem, making it the city's problem or that of the property owner's problem? While I understand a boat may have a hull number requiring the lien-sale route, I personally don't see that as a tow company responsibility. We had that same problem years back in San Diego where towers were provide a junk-slip by the police department's, Abatement Unit, for certain derelicts, where a vehicle's hulk or derilict trailer was of low value. With junk-slip in hand, the derelict was delivered straight to a participating salvage yard and never hit the tow yard. Obviously, there had to be qualifying criteria, it was one solution. While it's, "admirable", that your doing it as a good neighbor, "admirable", doesn't pay the bills. I'm happy to hear that tow company owners met with powers to be to discuss alternative ways to solve this problem. In that, now that the initial meeting is done, keep the pressure on and make something happen. Otherwise, perhaps it's time to boycott towing activities, but that obviously requires all towers being on-board. Good Luck. R.

I'll tackle this one Ron, short and sweet. While I try not to get involved in politics, there are solid reasons this state has declined in popularity and it will continue to decline. Having been California born, raised and resided in San Diego for nearly 70-years, I've seen the same growing pains this young man's talking about. California was a wonderful state to live-in primarily due to its weather and low-level crime. If I were to have my way, I'd head to some small, idyllic, historic town on the east coast or live somewhere in Kentucky or Tennessee. But, look at the turmoil there stemming from All-Lives Matter, Some-Lives Matter, This-Life Matter's, That-Life Matters, etc. I won't subject my family to that. Californa's state of affairs, political and otherwise, DOES have a huge impact in huge taxation and regulation for all companies, tower's included. Especially true is California's Air Resource Board's requirement ordering manufacturers of medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial trucks to begin selling zero-emission versions in 2024, with 100,000 sold in California by 2030 and 300,000 by 2035. That means tow trucks of all sizes will be phased-out to support qir quality requlations. Can you afford to phase-out your entire fleet to meet these requirements? If you're a California tower in for the long-haul, this requirement will reach your doors. "It's NOT getting better", is the war-cry for California's future. Although, while Mr. Shapiro isn't far off in his assessment of his choice to bail from California, I'll ask, "What American city hasn't been effected by crime, home-less, over-population, racism, drugs, gangs, high-prices etc?" Add, lack of funds to protect those uneven values and defunding law enforcement will only create greater crime and urban decline. Why do you think people come from everywhere to live in California? Perhaps it's the weather, or, does the state make it easy for people to live on the streets and decimate public programs like welfare, unemployment, EBT and others? But, having travelled extensively across the US going to tow shows and doing the tourist thing, California is my home where I do my best to dip and dodge it's problems. I've ridden my motorcycle on America's backroads to see that even rural America is in a sever state of decline. To sray in Californa (for me) may be me having set, my "roots", or, feeling the apprehension of moving to some even worse, "Shit-hole", city. Accordingly, remember this, if someone like Mr. Shapiro sells his expensive California home to move to some other city across America, unless he has a Golden Pony at his disposal, the average person WON'T be able to afford the cost of returning to the state. For me, I do the best I can with what I have to keep our family, safe, happy and thriving. I'm involved with community and do my best to fit-in amongst my neighbors by following prevailing laws and the direction of community I reside. That in itself in a full-time job. Until such time "life and circumstances" dictates where I reside, I choose to remain in California BECAUSE, "The grass AIN'T greener on the other side." Videos like this one may have an aire of validity, but how can they help in a positive manner? To Mr. Shapio, I say, "Bye Bye", in supporting his packing-up his family to get out of California. I'll find his leaving as the first positive step in lowering California's already staggering population. R.

How horrible for this young woman and her family. I'm glad the tow operator was not hurt. The time of impact was at 12:40 AM sending a subtle reminder that drugs and DUI drivers are at play after midnight. Towers Beware. R.

Absolutely ! ! ! When adjusters are successful into brow-beating a cheaper price out of one company's invoice, it's kinda' like feeding the bears ... they keep coming back and every invoice from then-on results in them "cheap-shotting" every invoice from then on. If a company does the work and justifiably, "documents", all work done, get paid for the work you do. But, the sad reality that I've noticed for many years, when tower's gouge, there always will be push-back. While an adjuster's job is to try and lower invoices, they're educated enough to know what towing and recovery prices are in the proverbial ball-park. When gouging takes place, it hurts all towers in the end-run. R.

Your assessment Ron is a possibility, but, I don't see this video as one taken by some random, "bystander". Having watched all of the content on this guy's Facebook page, I have good reason to feel he is, was, or is associated with a tow company possibly out of Baytown Texas; especially to see him seated in a vehicle wearing a tow truck looking uniform. There are too many factors to compare the average person versus someone who is involved or runs with a group of towers as friends and associates. R.

Based on the location, I'm with Grumps on this one. I too believe this was a stolen carrier, or, one that it's owner's tow business was in the proverbial downspin. I'm confident to say that the persons who drove this carrier to this location didn't lose control or run-off the road. The Sheriff most likely will have its investigators look into the financial situation of the registered owner to see if there's a reason this carrier is upside down in the spillway? And, as far as the video goes, it's too bad that it lacks the professionalism the industry has stuggled to attain and it surely doesn't show towers in a positive light. Thanks Ron for sharing a really disappointing video ... but hey, it's freedom of the press right? Who am I to say. R.

I agree; although there are plenty of fatal scenarios (like this one) where vehicle owners will do anything and everything to keep their cars from being repo'ed or impounded from provate property. Accordingly,in most states, towers have a legal responsibility to, "Stop", removal activity when the vehicle is still on-property and the owner or person in-control of the vehcile are attempting to stop the vehicle from being towed. In the case of, "predatory towing", there's a real thin-line in saying that the vehicle was in-possession of the tow operator and speeding-up or driving-away from someone chasing after the tow truck is the chaser's fault. I've included a link to a January 2013, high-profile news account, of a South Florida, business school dean, who allegedly was attempting to chase down a tow truck and his towed vehicle. The dean fell off the towed vehicle and was run over and killed. One would think it as common sense to NOT jump onto a moving vehicle, even this well-educated individual lost his life in the same kind of situation. Is common sense over-whelmed in a moment of adversity? Link: https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/elias-konwufine-dean-of-keiser-university-business-school-killed-by-towed-car/2039667/ In another news report regarding the 2013's South Florida case, the victim's friend said, “The reckless habits of the tow truck is something that should not be tolerated.” To that, I believe each case has to be judged on its own merits and bears the question,"As a tow operator, how would you handle the same scenario, especially if law requires being off-property to be in lawful possession of the tow?" Do you speed-up or come to an immediate stop the moment the subject challenges you? Owners, what do you instruct your drivers to do? This is one of those topics that tow company management must pass down to each tow operator as it regards the company's vicarious liability and the extreme risk involved when doing repo's and PPIs. R.

In today being, "National Slow Down Move Over Day", here's to the memory of four California tow operator's killed in shoulder related events and to the others killed in the US, Spain and Africa. While SDMO helps to raise awareness to the motoring public, operators must be more aware of their highway presence with special focus to stay off the white-line. Thanks Quinn for CTTA's support of SDMO. R.

Tomorrow is, "National Move-Over Day", created in memory of first responders killed working highway related events. For the towing and recovery industry, my research has confirmed as many as 361x tow truck operators killed working the highways. My numbers reflect tow operator fatalities and don't include roadside mechanics, tire services, medical incidents while driving a tow truck, or tow truck crashes while enroute or returning from a tow job. The number 361x represents tow operator's considered "struck-by-fatalities", on highway shoulders. Note: A greater percentage of tower's killed were struck while working the traffic side of their tow trucks and carriers. I send this as a friendly reminder that you're typically out there alone with no assistance from law enforcement. Your tow truck lights, vests, cones, flares, even police cars on-scene provide you little to no protection. STAY-OFF the white-line, even if that means applying a minimal point tie-down so to move to a safer location that put's you OUT of harm's way. If you're a tow business owner, remember to, "Teach It and Preach It." If you're a tow operator, know that distracted driving a DUI's are the reason towers are killed at an alarming rate. It's my opinion that SDMO law's don't work, making you that much more vulnerable. Because you have no control over a motorist's vehicle and their bad-driving habits, you're survival is the result of your good judgement. Please ... work fast, work tactically, and STAY-OFF the white-line. And, in that, to all tow operators and first responders, I send my prayers for your continued safety. R.

Christine and I send our prayers the tower's family and the company he worked for. R. Five tow operator fatalities in 37-days, three of those in California alone with four of five being between the hours of 8:45 PM and just after midnight. Only one was around 0600 hours.

I hear your message Ron. My Christine is a snotty, dripping mess with her allergies. We live in the southern California mountains where smoke from recent fires hang thick in the air. For me, I thankfully have no breathing or taste issues. That's perhaps why I'm as large as I am ... and it's not my winter coat either. If ya' know what I mean. R.

Good Morning Gentlemen - What I like about ya'all who participate here are your comments that are appreciated and welcome. I've been on other sites where a single tower's comments get attacked by the Tow Police. Their comments are oftentimes rude, curt and over-aggressive. I'm of the opinion that there's no perfect answer to anything we do in this industry. Every job, ever tow, every situation is different where we work far beyond the norm. I like this site because it allows me to expand my own personal knowledge about the industry and to see what other towers are doing in the world. Thank you guys for your participation and your answers. Mr. Stubborn ... No worries, your comments are well-taken especially using Bungees to keep safety chains from dragging. Both you and Grumps made the same comment to suggest, "The risk is minimal if you use common sense." We all know that there are those towers who take their careers seriously and follow the rule and guidelines the industry represents, where others have flash in the pan mentality. We also know that not all towers have the same amount of common sense to make quality inspections and to replace when necessary. Accordingly, what works for one tower may not work for another. That's called, "choice", and there's nothing incorrect about any single technique, tool, or item of accessory when it's maintained and used as it was designed. R.

The first one shown is whats typical to tow truck truck trash can as a hold doen to prevent the can or lid from launching, especially wreckers where B-Cords are constantly exposed to sun. I personally don't use B-Cords to secure heavy retainers, thats what plunge pins and spin screws are for by the manufacturer, right?

Have you, or a driver you know, ever been struck in the eye by a damaged or rotted Bungge Cord. While the Bungee Corporation doesn't write application details for tow truck operaotrs to try and stowe heavy parts and equipment, Bungee Cords are inherently danagerous because they store great aamounts of kenitic energy. When released unknowingly, they reportedly can strike someone's eye at 200-miles per hour. One of my drivers suffered a serious eye-injury when a Bungee holding the trash can lid came apart and hit him just below his eye. Thankfully, his eye was spared. For that reason alone, Bungee Cords should never be used to secured wheel-lift retainers ... I'm sure there's a mathematical disclaimer that can prove the same. R.

Is this an example of tow truck operator's experiencing PTSD? This is a tough topic tow owners tend to avoid discussion thinking tow truck drivers should be tough and to, "buck-up". I thought tow truck drivers didn't get PTSD? Call it what you will, anxiety, stress, mental separation, chemical deficiency, this driver experienced being exposed to a life-altering traumatic event that could have jolted him cockeyed. There's lots of comments about suing, but what about seeking care from a mental health care professional? R.

Driving a motor vehicle in any state is a privilege. AND, to do so, driving requires insurance. If a vehicle owner opts not to have sufficient coverage, it's not the responsibility of LE or police tower that provides service to the city. This is the same like-type scenario of not requiring payment for recovery at fatal scenes. R.

I agree with Stuart and Grumps. Personally, when it comes to heavier trucks outfitted with wide work boxes, towing it with front wheel's lifted allows me to see all of the truck's tires while enroute from the tow truck's mirrors. Towing a large box truck like this one (from the rear) can create that, "hard to see", scenario expecially to the driver's front. In a perfect world, If the driver's tire were to go flat or come off, I'd like to be able to see it happen. Dropping the shaft is a simple task. R.

Wow ... someone had their guardian angel riding with them that day. There's been plenty of discussion on TowForce about who's tasked with inspecting dolly bearings. This is similar in the manner of how often are the inside safety retention springs inspected by drivers? Or, is it the responsibilty of the shop? One the other hand, the left side photo isn't clear enough to determine if the plunge-pin was completely seated. No matter if the retaining slider has plunge pins or a screw-in safety device, that's something drivers must ensure are completely seated and tight after each use. For sure, this is a good topic for a safety meeting. R.