Tow operators are selfless first responders who perform a variety of daily tasks to keep members of the community safe. For example, in June 2024, WSVN 7 News in North Miami reported a story about local tow truck operators helping the motoring public during a tropical storm. Tow professionals navigated knee-high water to assist hundreds of stranded motorists. Once the sun set, those operators were tasked with navigating those same dangerous waters themselves, in order to get home to their families. 

Just one month later, Greenwich Time reported that a crew of tow truck operators in Greenwich, Connecticut experienced a terrifying near-miss while responding to an accident on the side of the road. A large truck slammed into their apparatus, which crew member Fulvio Tamburro described  as a nearly devastating situation. It was such a close call that they needed to run for cover, and three on-scene firefighters were injured in the incident. 

While these situations may be extreme examples of the dangers of tow trucking, they can happen to anyone.  Every tow truck operator is aware of the inherent dangers of the job. A recent Orange County Register study even ranked tow truck driving as the fourth most dangerous job in the United States. Despite numerous laws and regulations designed to keep tow truck operators safe, the danger persists. Tow operators need to take additional measures to ensure they get home safely every day, starting with preventative tow truck maintenance. 

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How are tow trucks and operators regulated?

Tow truck drivers and their vehicles must adhere to a number of federal regulations. Many come from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is not the only regulatory body truck drivers need to answer to. 

According to Lift and Tow, while traveling on public highways, tow truck drivers are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Some of those regulations include a tow operator having a commercial driver’s license, using turn signals and wearing a seat belt. But when it comes to trucks that only operate within state borders and rules and processes regarding loading and unloading disabled vehicles, OSHA has jurisdiction. 

OSHA also oversees accident and injury reports. If a tow truck is involved in a collision, that incident must be submitted to OSHA via the OSHA 301 Incident Report. At the end of the year, tow fleets must fill out the OSHA 300 log and list each collision reported.

Tow truck operators must also follow OSHA guidelines when it comes to a truck's rigging equipment. The organization requires the following regulations be met for rigging equipment on every truck:

• Has permanently affixed markings that include the manufacturer’s recommended safe working load.
• Is inspected before use during each shift and removed from service if found defective.
• Is never used to lift more than its recommended safe working load.

When is a tow truck considered an emergency vehicle?

There's an additional layer of regulations if a tow truck is to be considered an emergency vehicle. To be considered an emergency vehicle, state patrol must approve that designation in writing. Similar to other first responders, a tow truck operator’s vehicle must follow specific legislation. These regulations tend to vary from state to state.

For example, as TCS Uplifting notes, some states permit tow trucks to flash white and amber or red and blue lights when they are on scene in an emergency situation. But other states only consider wreckers to be “authorized service vehicles” and only allow them to use flashing, oscillating, or rotating yellow lights when they’re actively performing an emergency recovery or load operation.

However, being designated as an emergency vehicle does not grant the same protections as a police car or fire truck. For instance, tow truck operators cannot violate traffic laws while en route to an emergency scene.

Every state, except Washington, D.C., includes tow truck operators in Slow Down, Move Over law protections. However, the motoring public is trained to move over for orange cones and red and blue lights. Their instinct might not be to move over for the amber lights of a tow truck. This may be why an average of one tow truck driver in the U.S. is killed on the road every other week.

Tow truck operators perform emergency operations that keep the community safer on the road. However, inconsistent legislation and lack of civilian driver awareness mean that tow truck operators should continue to take additional precautions to protect themselves on the road.

Tow operator safety starts with preventative tow truck maintenance 

Protecting tow truck drivers starts with preventative tow truck maintenance. Here are some ways to keep trucks in top-condition so tow truck drivers can be better protected on the road:

• Load and secure vehicles properly — When a vehicle is loaded onto your truck improperly, it can cause significant damage. Use the appropriate straps, chains and double check connections before driving away.
• Take care of your tires — Keep an eye on tire pressure, tread depth, and overall condition to ensure they can handle heavy loads. 
• Regular equipment inspections — Make sure your vehicle is in good enough shape to continue to carry heavy loads. Continuously monitor winches, hooks, and all other towing apparatus to avoid accidents and damage. 
• Monitor electrical and lighting systems — Regularly check your truck's electrical and lighting systems. This includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals to avoid accidents and regulatory violations.
• Be prepared for any emergency — Unexpected situations will arise on the road. Carry a basic tool kit, spare parts, and other emergency supplies to help resolve minor issues on the spot.
• Develop a relationship with local maintenance professionals — Not every maintenance task can be performed in-house. Establish a relationship with a reputable mechanic or service center so you always have a place to go for more complex repairs. 
• Invest in your truck — While it can be costly, consider every maintenance cost an investment instead of an expense. This mindset can help prevent even costlier repairs and premature vehicle replacement. 
• Hold onto all documentation and records — Maintain a detailed log of all your truck’s maintenance activities, repairs, and part replacements. This provides valuable insights into the history of the tow truck, so technicians can diagnose recurring problems and plan preventive measures more effectively.
• Consider your environment — As CSC Truck says, tow trucks often operate in diverse weather conditions and may be exposed to corrosive substances. Prevent rust and corrosion from harsh conditions by regularly washing your truck and providing protective coating. 
• Make sure drivers are properly trained on vehicle maintenance — Offer regular training sessions so all drivers are updated on the latest maintenance techniques and safety procedures. 
• Always do comprehensive pre-trip and post-trip inspections — Pre-trip and post-trip inspections are required by the DOT for all tow trucks. Make sure they’re always thorough and accurately documented to ensure driver safety. 

Other ways tow truck drivers can stay safe on the road

Tow truck drivers deserve the same protection as every other first responder. When tow truck drivers are safer on the road, they’ll be able to help more stranded motorists and get home safely to their families every day. 

• Be prepared for changing conditions — Always anticipate hazards on the road. Weather conditions, road work, and traffic flow should impact how you operate your truck. Adapt your speed and driving style to match these conditions. 
• 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.
• Wear protective clothing — 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.

Digital alerting prompts drivers to follow Slow Down, Move Over laws

One immediate and cost-effective way to protect yourself and your truck is by implementing digital alerting in your vehicle. A digital alert system is an electronic notification sent directly to the motoring public. These messages can inform drivers that there is a responding tow truck on the side of the road up ahead and they need to slow down and move over to give the tow operator clearance to do their job. Drivers receive these alerts through leading navigation apps like Waze and directly in the infotainment centers of compatible cars. 

Any alerting asset or tow truck, no matter the make or a model, can be equipped with a digital alerting system like Safety Cloud® by HAAS Alert. It’s a passive, set-it-and-forget-it tool. As soon as a truck is equipped with a digital alerting system, it automatically begins to broadcast alerts once a responder activates their emergency lights. When a tow operator turns off their vehicle, it will stop broadcasting alerts. HAAS Alert's tool, in particular, is a lifesaving service and a valued partner of AAA.  

Tow agencies protect operators and their trucks with Safety Cloud

Towing expert Ron Pratt of Midwest Truck Sales & Service, Inc says that a standard tow is incredibly dangerous. Tow operators are on their own when they’re loading a vehicle and the motoring public simply doesn't pay attention. 

But Ron considers Safety Cloud an evolution in automotive safety technology that can keep him, his son Ethan, and the rest of his team safe on the road. He appreciates the visual and audible component of Safety Cloud. It ensures that when a driver is coming up on an active tow scene, they will be more likely to spot tow trucks and will slow down, and move over.

Leaders in the towing industry around the country have explained why they trust Safety Cloud to keep them safe while they’re responding on the road. For example, James Jennings of Emerald Transportation Corporation says that he has not found a better solution on the market than Safety Cloud. He calls it the best tool out there to protect his drivers while they’re on the highway. As of January 2023, his fleet was sending over 100,000 alerts to trucks each month. This came just seven months after his company activated Safety Cloud.

Similarly, Bill Gratzianna of O'Hare Towing Service said that as a responsible owner of a towing and recovery service, it's his duty to do absolutely everything he can to keep his people safe. He said one of the safety tools that makes the most sense to him is Safety Cloud, calling implementing it a no-brainer. 

AAA Hoosier Motor Club technician Pat Hurley reiterated the dangers that tow truck drivers face on the road. His truck has actually been hit before. Once, he was loading a vehicle onto his truck and a driver sideswiped his truck. The impact tore off the mirror on her vehicle — yet she just kept driving like nothing had ever happened.

The dangers of operating a tow truck are not unique to the United States — technicians deal with it in other countries as well. For example, the Canadian Automobile Association Club Group (CCG) services a large area that includes Highway 401. It’s a stretch of road so dangerous that it has its own reality show. In 2022, the group launched a program Endeavour to find better ways to protect technicians while they’re working on the road.

The CCG team eventually came across and implemented Safety Cloud digital alerting. They realized that people are noticing the alerts and slowing down when they see tow trucks on the side of the road assisting stranded motorists. In fact, CCG conducted a study through DIG Insights and saw that 97 percent of drivers who received an alert slowed down and moved over. 

Safety Cloud will help your fleet put the brakes on distracted driving. Download your copy of Safety Cloud for Towing to learn more about the digital alerting tool's features, benefits, and why this technology is the key to better tow truck driver safety.