Slow Down, Move Over for Tow Operator Safety | HAAS Alert

Slow Down, Move Over to Improve Tow Truck Operator Safety

August 16, 2024

Written by the HAAS Alert Team, Brynne Piehowski

Slow down, move over laws don't just help police officers and firefighters — they're crucial to tow operator safety on the road, too. Tow truck operators have to spend hours on the road every day, meaning they face constant risk on the job. Here are just some of the dangers of the job:

• Navigating loaded tow trucks through heavy traffic: While there is a skill to properly handling a tow truck, there's a huge difference in driving a truck not in tow and a loaded tow truck. Driving loaded tow trucks are cumbersome and hard to maneuver. Tow truck drivers need the motoring public to give them the right of way, wider free space, and to stay out of their blind spots. But unfortunately, they cannot always count on that.
• Negligent and distracted driving: Every state requires drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. But the motoring public has become distracted by cell phones, eating, drinking, and listening to the radio in their cars. When people drive distracted, they put emergency responders, like tow truck operators, in grave risk.
• Risk of struck-by collisions: Tow truck operators assist incapacitated vehicles, which are often parked on the side of busy roads. That means that operators must work next to the stranded vehicle while traffic whizzes by. With a rise in distracted driving, tow truck professionals are in constant risk of being hit on the side of the road.
• Rough weather conditions: Rain, snow, and ice causes difficult conditions and reduced visibility for any driver. But when a driver skids or loses control of their car, that creates an even more significant risk for tow truck operators driving a loaded vehicle.

These risks are always present for first responders such as tow truck professionals. That's why every state has passed some form of Move Over laws to improve safety for emergency personnel.

First responders deserve better protection on the road

With cell phones on hand and intricate gear shifts and in-vehicle infotainment centers, drivers on the road are more distracted than ever. The more distracted drivers are, the more emergency personnel like tow truck drivers are put at risk. Tow truck operators have to work in compromising positions on the side of the road while attending to stranded motorists. They’re in constant risk of near misses and struck-by incidents.

While a human life is undoubtedly worth more than a truck, incidents like these have ripple effects. Emergency vehicles cost a lot of money, so those repairs are expensive and come at a cost to the community. Less emergency vehicles on the road means less active resources for protecting local roads. It all contributes to a dangerous cycle that demonstrates that all roadway users deserve safer and more connected roads.

Move Over regulations create safer roads

The first Move Over law was enacted in South Carolina in 1996. It was passed after a paramedic was struck by a passing vehicle and was found to be at fault. Move Over laws require the motoring public to slow down and move over to allow safe clearance to emergency personnel on the road. Every state has implemented some form of Move Over laws between 2001 - 2012.

Many states are continuing to improve and expand their individual Move Over laws to make them more effective. These ongoing efforts are driven by a desire to increase awareness and adherence. One such expansion has been to include roadway workers and maintenance trucks in these protections. Others have included increased fines, and harsher penalties, stronger efforts in community education, and broader definitions for the vehicles and incidents that drivers should slow down and move over for.

Despite this great progress, challenges still persist. For example, in Delaware, drivers encountering an active emergency vehicle are required to move a lane not adjacent to the vehicle and reduce speed, while drivers in the same scenario in South Dakota are simply asked to reduce their speed.

These discrepancies create an uncertain and sometimes chaotic environment for emergency responders and all roadway users. AAA says that while all states have Move Over laws, driver awareness and compliance are inconsistent. They go on to note that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 71% of Americans are unaware of their state’s laws. As a result, while Move Over laws are a crucial part of first responder and roadway worker safety, they’re not always enough to save lives.

This is especially true for tow truck drivers. While the motoring public is trained to move over for orange cones and red and blue lights, they might not think to move over for the amber lights of a tow truck. But tow truck operators absolutely deserve that respect and protection that every other first responder receives, too.

Are tow truck operators first responders?

While the motoring public may be unclear and certain regulations are vague, the answer is a resounding yes. Tow operators are first responders, too. First responders are people that are trained to respond to and assist with an emergency situation. Similarly, a tow truck fits the definition of an emergency vehicle.

Emergency vehicles respond to emergencies — tow trucks respond to auto-related emergencies. Tow truck operators are called in to assist when a motorist is stranded. Drivers often find themselves stranded due to emergency situations. They rely on tow truck drivers to get them to safety.

Tow truck drivers often have to put their lives on the line to assist those stranded drivers. AAA reports that roadside assistance providers are struck and killed nearly four times more than reported — that includes tow truck drivers. It's because of that chilling statistic that a 2016 study calls tow truck driving the fourth most dangerous job in the U.S.

Tow truck operators deserve clearer protections

Move Over laws are prevalent in every state, and tow trucks are now included in every state’s regulations, with the exception of Washington, D.C. However, these drivers are not always protected in the same ways as other first responders. For example, unlike police vehicles and ambulances, tow trucks cannot violate traffic laws.

Lift and Tow also states that tow truck vehicles do not have the right of way and are required to use emergency lights in a different way than other emergency vehicles. While tow truck operators must equip their tow trucks with emergency lights, “they can only activate these when their truck is actively performing the kind of work for which it received its designation as an emergency vehicle or is near an emergency response area.”

While existing laws for tow truck professionals are far from perfect, efforts to improve them are happening across the nation. These changes can largely be attributed to Tow truck professionals speaking up in defense of their community and the work they do. Tow truck professionals are starting to speak up in defense of their community and the work they do.

In November 2013, WHO News in Des Moines, Iowa reported about a petition to recognize tow truck operators as first responders. Tow truck operator Brad Baracat wrote on the petition, "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. 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."

Including tow truck operators in Move Over law protections marks a major milestone in roadway safety for these first responders. But the fact remains that this professional will always remain a dangerous one. Tow truck drivers need to follow additional safety measures on the road to ensure they can go home at the end of every day.

Tow truck driver safety tips to supplement Slow Down, Move Over laws

Drivers are more distracted than ever thanks to technology and soundproof cars. Traffic deaths are on the rise, with tow truck operators included in the growing numbers. While they may be included in Slow Down, Move Over laws, these regulations alone are not enough to keep tow truck professionals safe on the road. Here are some other tips tow truck drivers show follow for better protection on the job:

• Drive defensively — Driving a loaded tow truck is fraught with dangers for operators. Make sure to always stay within the speed limit and keep safe distances from other vehicles on the road to decrease the chance of getting in an accident. Reduce your speed further in adverse weather conditions.
• Take control of the scene — When you're responding on the side of the road, take control of the scene as soon as you arrive. Turn on safety lights, mark the area with cones, flares, and markers. If someone is injured, move them out of harm’s way. Visually confirm objects and onlookers are clear of your equipment before loading vehicles onto your truck.
• Protect yourself — The motoring public is not always used to giving responding tow truck operators clearance on the road. In response to that, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides safety regulations for the challenges that you face as a trucker. Wear brightly-colored clothes to ensure you're seen. All drivers should also wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, work gloves, and safety glasses as an extra safety precaution.
• Remain aware of blind spots — A blind spot can cause a major issue for a responding tow truck operator. Ensure all mirrors on the truck and visual aids are securely set in place and working properly. Make sure you're aware of line of sight limitations, too.
• Ensure all drivers are protected— OSHA requires specific training for all tow truck drivers. Every towing company needs to have established training procedures. As Prudential Overall Supply says, "Workers must be properly trained and tested to ensure they’re knowledgeable in operational and safety procedures and able to handle a wide range of situations. All training courses must be accredited."

Practice preventative tow truck maintenance for increased safety

While human lives are far more valuable than other assets, a well-maintained truck will help to increase tow truck driver safety. Here are some ways to keep trucks in top-condition so tow truck drivers can be better protected on the road.

• Regular inspections — Regularly-scheduled engine, transmission, brakes, suspension checks are a crucial part of preventative tow truck maintenance.
• Tire care— Keep an eye on tire pressure, tread depth, and overall condition to ensure they can handle heavy loads.
• Brake maintenance — Make sure to regularly and service the brake system to ensure it’s always in top condition.
• Hold on to documentation and records — Keep records of maintenance activities, repairs, and part replacements on hand to track the tow truck’s history and to aid in any necessary future diagnostics.
• Consider the environment — Regularly wash your truck and apply protective coatings to protect it from environmental corrosion.
• Require driver training and education — Train all drivers in maintenance protocols and safety procedures to promote better care for and operate their trucks.
• Keep an eye on electrical and lighting systems— Regularly check your truck's including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals to avoid accidents and regulatory violations.

Digital alerting systems are effective preventative safety measures for tow truck operators

A digital alert system is an electronic notification sent directly to a driver. HAAS Alert leverages this technology through its flagship platform Safety Cloud®, which sends digital alerts to drivers up to 30 seconds before reaching a roadway hazard. These extra moments allow drivers more time to take appropriate action while protecting emergency personnel like tow truck drivers on the road. The visual and audible component of Safety Cloud helps to ensure that when a driver is coming up on an active tow scene, drivers will be more likely to slow down, and move over.