Quantcast
Jump to content
  • Join the TowForce community.

    It looks like you're not logged in. Register to get started and to receive Tower Down Notices.

Tow truck driver safety petition (IA)


TowForce

Recommended Posts

Tow truck driver safety petition

 

 

Petition to recognize tow truck operators as first responders started

 

DES MOINES, Iowa – A tow truck operator is leading an effort to have tow truck operators recognized nation wide as first responders. Although Iowa law does give tow truck operators protection in terms of roadside safety, that’s not the case everywhere.

 

“I am a tow truck operator, and while my state and some others have recognized us as first responders, this is not the case everywhere, ” wrote Brad Baracat of Des Moines, on a Change.Org petition. “Our work on the side of the road is fraught with danger, yet we are often overlooked when it comes to being acknowledged for our role in emergency situations.”

 

The dangers of this type of work is well known to Tony Nessa, who runs a wrecker service in Webster City, along with his truck and tire center. He remembers towing a truck when he got out to check his lights.

 

“The first two cars got over the left hand lane, gave me more room, the third one was in the left-hand lane and it was going faster, it swung into the right-hand lane coming right at me.”

 

Nessa was able to escape without injury, but stories like this can give pause.

 

“Over the years gals that have been in my life, some of them say, ‘I hope you come home tonight,'” said Nessa. “I know you tell the stories about what’s happened out there.” 

 

Nessa said the big new safety feature for the tow trucks is lights. They can now use red and blue lights like the troopers.

 

“Everybody uses the amber lights anymore for the oversize loads,” said Nessa. “It is so much better with these new style lights, it helps.”

 

Under the Iowa Move-Over Law, tow truck operators are included among police, fire and medical which require drivers to move over. That also includes even passenger vehicles with emergency flashers on.

 

RESOURCE LINK

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up