rreschran

Having a young son who's a fire fighter paramedic, this hits close to home. It's such a tragedy to lose another tower and an upcoming fire fighter as well. I question what kind of on-scene management (existed at this crash) whether or not LE was aware young Ross was working in harm's way? Did the PD provide any on-scene protection or traffic control as he worked to clear debris in lanes? Because part of a tower's on-scene respnsibility is after-crash clean-up, blocking for him, or stopping traffic should have been a priority, or, was the on-scene officer sitting inside the patrol car because it was raining? And, I'm thinking those barricades came AFTER Ross was struck. I agree that Mr. Hookrite; is 110-percent correct to say that roads should be shut-down while crash scenes are active. One thing remains ... even with over-head lights on, cops on-scene, fire department positioned, a reflective vest is worn, or, motorists hear audible warnings of an "incident ahead", these ALL lead to a false sense of security. Fact: Stepping into the roadway or highway lanes becomes an activity where pedestrian strike is always danger close. Tower's shouldn't go into lanes until some level of protection is in place. Chances are that teen motorist didn't know about SDMO. Christine and I pray for Ross's familiy, Tatman's Towing and the community Ross served.     R. 

Nice to hear that fellow tow companies have rallied to help Mr. Martinez. I hope for his full and speedy recovery.       R.

It recently happened in San Diego where a disgruntled employee was confirmed to be the suspect.

Good comments guys. From the risk management standpoint may I add ...

1. Owners ... get your operators formally trained in tow truck operations and on-highway safety

2. Know when to say "No" to avoid making a scenario or situation worse

3. One size does NOT fit all where thinking, "If it fits it ships" ... that's an accident waiting to happen

4. Don't dispatch newly hired towers to calls on the highway

5. If your state doesn't recognize tow trucks as first responders ... you're not!

Industry attorney, Mike McGovern, wrote on this topic years back and again in American Towman's February 2022 issue, my article, "No Victim's Left Behind", especially true to crashed vehicles with airbags deployed. No longer is it "just OK" to not take a cursive look to ensure no one is still inside a car being towed or transported.       R.

Not to impugne Mr. Martinez's work ... there are NO routine calls where every call has the potential to go sideways in a heartbeat. I pray for his full recovery.      R.

This is another unfortunate loss of life that demonstrates a need of closing lanes or diverting traffic until lanes are restored. Christine and I extend our prayers to the Thornton family and Nick's Towing.     R.

San Francisco bay area drivers are at the top of California's "worst driver list." 

Sure, why not! If you're doing extra work at their request, an admin fee is reasonable. Why not make money over something that should be done anyways?       R.

Thanks John ...  please keep us posted as you learn of details. Christine says ... "Hi John ! ! ! "         R.

This truly is sad news. Thanks John for sharing. Christine and I send our prayers to the entire Clayton's group and family.   

Sending our best to you and Aileen.     R&C

Funny ... I was one of those "not so smart kids" in class ... that's why I come here.    Regards.

Your comments BenO are spot on. Now, how can that message spread to all towers training them to work "off" the white line?  

Hi Mr. Matt ... Sorry for the late greeting to the TowForce forums. As a retired, California police officer myself, I welcome you to the industry and openly remind you that any quetions you ask can be answered here ... you've come to the right place to seek industry knowledge. There are plenty of professional owners and towers willing to share their knowledge. Best of luck to you Sir.     R.  

Thanks Towman27 for your comments. I find them well-written, well though-out and well-presented as to the problems you foresee in having to deal with HONK. The manner you presented your angst towards their administrative requirements is professional and easily understood. Everything you mentioned is valid and seems to be common practice among other motor clubs and their apps.  Personally, I appreciate and respect your approach versus ignorant comments made by the industry’s tow police.

You express a disappointment that I chalk it up to towers being averse to change? As a long-time job coach, I’m seeing tower’s complaining more and more about what’s being required of them where they're quick to move-on. Perhaps I’m old school to suggest following change is a requirement of conducting business. All of your comments are well-taken and I hear your frustration as well as the frustration of towers.

As far as today’s auto clubs making things more difficult, the new norm of business suggests doing more and getting less. I see it as the reality (and future direction) of the tow and recovery industry. I understand the concept, but, as in any form of tow truck business, it’s your choice in how much of their difficult process are you willing to take? If there are too many policies or rules, by all means, do your best to streamline your company’s operations while making a choice to serve or look for other work that compliments your company. Like Dad always told us kids, “If yer’ not happy in yer’ relationships, dump em’ and get onto better days!”

I hope someone from HONK is following these comments as they go far beyond the issue of towers taking photos. If HONK has hopes to develop a list of satisfied service providers, comments like all of these posts should be worth their weight. So, I guess a decision is looming as to whether or not towers should accept the terms or move-on to those greener pastures?           R.

Great forensic explaination Brian. Your accurate words leads to a simple reality to suggest towers don't like change. So, where some towers can't comply with simple change or addition to policy, it only lends to competitors taking available work. It's OK to quit Honk, but keep in-mind, towers can balk at change and not take pictures for Honk or any others, but a hard fact is, there's always some other company that WILL jump through their hoops.  At the end of the day, is it too difficult a process? But' is it any more intrusive than having to do it for a law enforcement contract? I'm sure Brian will agree that sucking up a couple extra minutes to take pictures helps to keep the bills paid and companies afloat in this dog eat dog industry.      R.

G-uh Morning Mr. Stubborn ... Out here, there's policy of some law enforcement agencies where photos are required and stored on a dedicated computer. BUT, that's part of the original contract and NO extra dollars are offered by the agency. I've heard of that in other industries including my line of work. But, an agreement over the phone by an unknown person, offering no visual policy, or rule change, in-writing, or an added contract addendum ... something sounds fishy. Could it be that the club might be testing the waters? Club policies change all the time and sometimes towers have to roll with it. Before jumping to conclusions, I respectfully suggest a friendly call-back to your rep or area supervisor (if you have one) and request the requirement in writing.  If you get it in writing, $50 for a few extra minutes of work is easy money. Ultimately, if you're collecting an additional $50 bucks on top of regular charges, that's time well-spent. Not to be flippant, sometimes, to get along you go along. With all of the competition around, I'd do what I could to keep those dollars coming in. Besides, what's one more task if you're company's getting paid. Why not keep that money in your account coming in?           R. 

Florida Tow Operator Struck Killed Today 2/6/2022

A South Floridatow operator was struck and killed by an approaching motorist just after midnight today. The tower was allegedly standing outside of the open door of his tow truck when struck. The strike knocked him into traffic lanes where he was struck by multiple other vehicles.

Details are limited and the tower's name and company were not yet released.

Link:   https://news.yahoo.com/police-man-killed-being-hit-164454878.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall

This post is in-response to the North Dakota fatality where a flatbed carrier was struck; alleging the carrier was left in live lanes and alleging the tow operator had a suspended driver's license.

In January’s, Tow Industry Week, I partially covered the topic of having a suspended license.

For tow business owners and the company’s management team, what steps do you take to ensure your tow operators are driving on a current driver’s license? Because tow vehicle operations and the actions of your tow operators are under heavy "vicarious liability", just going by the tow operator’s word that their license isn’t suspended is risky business. This fatality scenario is a solid reason to know that your towers are licensed and current.   R.

https://towindustryweek.com/12-rates-trade/8301-are-your-child-support-payments-behind

This scenario seems unbelievable as details reported by the news don’t tell the entire story. You can bet there will be plenty of lessons to be learned here … some that will challenge the meaning of SDMO. From face value, I foresee some of the issues being: 1. Leaving a disabled vehicle parked in a live lane and not identified (if that actually happened?) Most motorists have enough common sense to get their slowing vehicle to an emergency shoulder. 2. Over-head ambers on or off? 3. Triangles or flares set? 4. Running lights on or not? 5. Four-way flasher’s on or off? 6. Operating on a suspended license? (Note: To confuse the issue, tower allegedly wasn’t driving the carrier when it was impacted; counter, so, how did it get there?) Did the operator cause the crash? Make your own conclusions. This is one case to follow for sure.      R. 

Review the video and see more than 10-police vehicles that arrive on-scene AFTER-THE-FACT, but never a cop around when towers need them most ... especially at 0200 hours. Isn't there something wrong with that picture?      R.

Involved and active as time allows. Thanks Ron and Chris for all you do for the industry. Best Regards.         R.

Eeeech. Thank can't even be a little bit fun.

Thanks for the comments and the pics guys. I'm working on an article for American Towman and the input is great stuff.

Best regards.

R.

Just asking ... has one of your driver's been clocked by a dolly bar when installing dollies? How did the injury occur?

What training do you provide, book learning, hands-on, in-the-field?

Your imput would be most valuable.

Best Regards.

I wrote on this topic in Tow Industry Week in 2012; again covering the same topic. When employees aren't "user friendly", more than one company has leased outside toilet facilities to employees to use. Many companies don't allow drivers into the business office, so porta potty rentals is a feasible option. However, having to stand in a floor full of misguided piss isn't appeasing to me.     r.