| Til' Death Do Us Part by Randall C. Resch Let's get something straight right now. I'm an advocate for tow operator and customer safety...period. I don't accept excuses why safety isn't everyone's number-one concern. I've written this article knowing perfectly well that a slew of name-calling and gender-attacking is likely to befall me, but quite frankly, I'm tired of repeated tow operator fatalities, especially when we know something's wrong. It's obvious there's a gigantic "I don't give a crap" attitude on many tow operators' part based on them thumbing their nose at safety and survival. Consider this article as your wake-up call. It happens all too often where another tower is killed changing tires, loading vehicles, or working on the highway. As in most industry related death scenarios, the ill-fated father, husband, brother, friend, never knew the Grim Reaper was on scene to escort one's departure from life. If you think these words are too ghastly for this publication and better suited for Hollywood, you're wrong pal, dead wrong. Every time another tower loses his life, you should be questioning your own mortality. There's NO Avoiding This While nobody likes to discuss death and dying, herein lies the reality of our industry. Like it or not, now's the time (not later) to discern if you have an awareness of incredibly important topic: your survival. Tow operator fatalities occur on an ever-increasing basis. While you may never detect a collision that's headed your way, your survival awareness may be the only thing standing between you and a possible preventable fatality. You're in control of your safety attitude and movements when on scene. If you understand survival, consider this article a refresher course to reaffirm on-scene dangers. If you're clueless as to what you're doing out there, then you and your employer need to get your heads out of dark spaces and learn a survival attitude before you become the industry's next statistic. If you work for a company that doesn't emphasize survival every day, find a company that does. Your life depends on it! Something's Wrong Here? There's a disturbing occurrence on America's highways that (some) tow operators seldom (if ever) take time to consider. What's the big deal? You may be thinking that you've got some experience, perhaps that you're invincible, done it hundreds of times before. The big deal comes in that moment, that brief unidentifiable instant where your life ends abruptly and your family and community is left to mourn their loss. Have you ever thought of leaving for work never to return? Accidents Happen They call them accidents because they're the product of the unknown. Accidents don't have schedules, nor do they provide warning. No matter how hard you try or how savvy you think you may be, you'll never know that an accident is about to happen to you. You'll never pinpoint an exact moment that you'll be injured or killed simply because accidents don't announce themselves. The very nature of our work means we deal with accidents. Accept the fact, it's outright dangerous. If you've worked for the industry for any amount of time, you must recognize there is no single topic more important to a tow operator than survival. It's a matter of getting your head right and applying techniques that are beyond short cuts and non-industry standards. Even before you step into the field, and regardless of your experience level, survival must be your number-one priority. Don't permit yourself to become lazy or complacent. Consider these four questions: * Do you have a survivor's mindset regarding your personal safety? * Are you aware of what roadside scenarios present the greatest dangers to you? * Do you care about personal safety, or * Do you believe that nothing could ever happen to you? Numbers Don't Lie From January 2000 until December 31, 2005, approximately 130 tow operators in the U.S. were killed from tow related incidents or accidents. Of those killed, many were involved in service activities on the highway. As most crashes were deemed "accidental" subsequent investigations revealed that the POI (Point of Impact) was in or near the slow-side traffic lane, near the shoulder's white fog line, or near the traffic-side controls of the tow truck. * Of approximately 130 operator deaths, nearly 20 tow operators were killed while loading vehicles, changing tires, sweeping, or otherwise working on the traffic-side of the emergency shoulder. Approximately 35 tow operators died within the emergency lane, were struck from behind, standing as pedestrian workers, or, working underneath disabled vehicles when impact occurred. Of those scenarios, approximately 10 tow operators were struck by commercial trucks and approximately 12 by drivers who were allegedly DUI or hit and run. Were these simply unfortunate examples of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Other operator fatalities occurred from: * Operators exiting their tow truck on the traffic-side * Operators changing a vehicle's tire on the traffic-side * Operators walking on the traffic-side with their backs to traffic * Operators standing partially in the traffic lane or near the fog line * Killed by an out-of-control other vehicle due to weather conditions * Operators crushed under load lifted during recovery or product off-loading * Operators crushed when vehicle fell during loading process * Operators crushed by vehicles when removing axles and/or drive shafts * Operators crushed between tow truck and other vehicle prior to and during loading * Operators killed by robbery, homicide, or other foul play * Operators struck by a DUI into roadside work zone * Operators struck by hit-and-run driver, impairment not known * Operators dragged and run over by tow truck when e-brakes allegedly failed * Operators dragged and run over by tow truck activating old-style PTO by hand * Bridge collapsed / operator drowned * Traffic accidents, railroad crossings and airplane crashes * Operators working or loading their carrier on the traffic-side * Operators struck by semi-truck or commercial vehicle into work zone While we as an industry are busy blaming the motoring public for the senseless taking of our brethren, a fraction of these fatalities may have been caused by an improperly executed tow-related activity. If standard techniques or safety considerations were employed, would the fatality rate be lower? In some cases, would the tow operator have survived if he'd been working on the non-traffic side of the tow truck? In regards to hazardous commercial traffic, consider the following statistics: * 738,776 fatal traffic accidents occurred over a 17-year period. This number is increasing at a consistent rate of 10 percent per year. * From 1994 to 2004, 412,772 fatalities involved trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds * 13 percent of all highway related accidents involved trucks over 10,000 pounds * 80 percent of all crashes involving heavy trucks occurred during the weekdays * Trucks over 10,000 pounds account for 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S. * 67 percent of all crashes in rural areas involved heavy trucks over 10,000 pounds * 68 percent of all crashes involving heavy trucks were during daylight hours While the motoring public is busy with their own thoughts, they are generally not thinking about towers at work on the roadside. Most drivers haven't a clue, nor do they care, what activities towers are involved in. What's more incredible is that 85 percent of motorists traveling America's roadways don't have any memory of a tow truck stopped on the shoulder. Unless other emergency vehicles accompany roadside activities, most drivers blast past the tower's location like the proverbial ship in the night. The following six causes are the most common type of scenarios resulting in tow operator fatality. The list is in no order of occurrence, yet all ended with the loss of the tow operator's life: * 22 percent of drivers involved stated traffic congestion was the cause * 23 percent of drivers involved stated they were late or in a hurry * 59 percent of drivers were traveling at speeds too fast for conditions * 24 percent of drivers were weaving * 17 percent of drivers were tailgating * 10 percent of drivers made unsafe movements to the left or right Source: Office of Traffic Safety - 2004 It Won't Happen to Me! When San Diego's tow operator Winford Perry Enoch was killed, I began close observation of tow operators working roadside incidents to get an idea about what safety practices were being employed locally. On nearly every occasion and at one or more times during their roadside service or tow the operator endangered his own life by not watching approaching traffic. Without being concerned for their safety, I've observed many walking with their backs to traffic, sitting on the fog line to change a tire, or standing with their customer between vehicles. The industry as a whole needs to look at the causes of each fatality with open eyes and seek change in technique and training. The reason for each tow operator's demise must be fully understood before change can come about. I've followed tow operator fatalities and causes for years. There's a problematic pattern that appears through sentimental obituaries written on behalf of deceased tow operators. If my comment seems out of line, I apologize; however, many towers killed in the line of duty were described as having been "professional, well trained towers who knew their business." But, having reviewed a number of law enforcement investigations regarding tow operator fatalities, it was apparent that "experienced tow operators" were involved in a higher percentage of fatal incidents, not to be associated with age or physical condition. If you're of the mentality that's too tough and too macho to admit you need refresher training in roadside safety, try writing your own obituary. Our industry has outstanding trainers dedicated to your professionalism, competency, and specifically your safety and survival. Whether you're new to the industry or an experienced old salt, I urge you to participate in update training every two years and participate in as many towing and recovery classes as you can attend. I've never met a tow operator who knows it all, but I've met hundreds who thought they did. The industry is forever changing, so is the need for increased training. Here's wishing you safe career as a towing and recovery professional. I salute you for your courage and intestinal fortitude in serving the motoring public. Although your contributions may go unnoticed, you're all heroes to me. Professional tow operators constantly think about survival and know the Reaper is always present. Let him worry about someone else, you're too busy staying alive. If you've learned one-thing from this article: work the non-traffic side whenever possible. Whether facing a simple service calls or a difficult recovery, complete the task quickly and get away from the danger zones. That may means loading the vehicle first and completing the service call in another place of safety. Your decision could possibly save your life or that of your customers. You're never too old to learn better ways to survive. Editors Note: The author and American Towman are mindful and respectful of those killed in the line of duty. No harm or disrespect is intended. This article's objective solicits heightened awareness for tow operator safety. Respectfully, no tower's life shall have been in vain, but may lead to another life to be spared. Randall C. Resch is a retired police officer, the general manager of San Diego's Star Towing, and operations editor for American Towman. This topic of critical survival will be presented in August 2006, at the American Towman Tow Show in San Antonio. He can be reached at rreschran@aol.com |
 Who Generally Causes Tow Related Crashes? Highway conditions are always dangerous. In the chart below, I suggest that the causes of most traffic collisions on the highway that involve emergency vehicles and tow trucks are due to the following reasons: 1 - Applying make-up 2 - Sickness / Not feeling well 3 - Confused by construction zones 4 - Speed too fast for conditions (#1 cause) 5 - Cut-off by other traffic 6 - Sun in the eyes causing brief blindness 7 - Dark, poorly lighted highways 8 - Swerving to avoid impact 9 - Driving on emergency shoulders 10 - Swerving to avoid object(s) in traffic lane 11 - Driving with a pet in their lap 12 - Swerving to miss the infamous black dog 13 - Driving with no headlights lights on 14 - Talking on the phone 15 - Driving under the influence (DUI) 16 - Teenage, elderly, inexperienced drivers 17 - Drifting in lanes due to high winds 18 - Too fatigued or fell asleep 19 - Equipment failure 20 - Too fast into the curves 21 - Following too close 22 - Unsafe passing or movement left / right 23 - Inattention / Distraction 24 - Tuning stereo / changing CD or cassettes 25 - Loss of control (catch-all) 26 - Unfamiliar with the highway or lost 27 - Reaching for something 28 - Violation of Move-Over Law The number-one cause of most highway traffic collisions is speeds too fast for conditions. Regardless of the primary causes of tow related crashes, impact comes with little or no warning. Tow operator and customer safety can best be assured by proper training and minimal time spent inside the Danger Zone. by Randall C. Resch |
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