Virginia Tow Truck Driver Pushes Awareness

[TowZone]

For The Move Over Law: 'We're risking our lives to help people'

 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- First responders and tow truck drivers put their lives on the line when responding to crashes. 

 

Virginia law requires you to move over or slow down if you see flashing lights. 

 

On Wednesday, 8News spoke with Kenny Cope, a local tow truck driver, who said he's frustrated every day on the job because people don't give him room to work. Cope says all he's asking for is for people to obey the move over law. 

 

"Very dangerous. One of the most dangerous," Cope said. 

 

He told 8News he's had some close calls on the highway. 

 

"We're right there in traffic every day," Cope told 8News, "we only have but a couple feet to work."

• Drivers who ignore Va.'s Move Over law could face harsher punishment

Cope says he sees drivers refuse to move over while he's loading up a car. 

 

"Every time you get out of the truck you have to watch your back because somebody isn't paying attention to you," he explained. 

 

According to the International Towing and Recovery Museum, a tow truck driver is killed every six days in America. 

 

"We need people to move over so we can get home to our families," Cope said. 

 

This is why Cope's wife started a Facebook page called "Tow Wife Life."

 

"We're risking our lives to help people," Cope told 8News. 

 

The Facebook page, which has a goal to raise awareness about the Move Over law, has over 16,000 likes. 

 

"It's not strict enough punishment, not enough people have gotten in trouble."

 

This could change if a new bill that enforces harsher punishments for those who fail to "move over" passes. People who don't slow down or change lanes will be charged with reckless driving. 

 

The proposed bill is waiting for a vote by the full Senate. It's expected to pass. 

 

https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/tow-truck-driver-pushes-awareness-for-move-over-law-we-re-risking-our-lives-to-help-people-/1797694995