July 2, 2008, Towing News From American Towman Magazine

Drivers Stretch Fill-Ups

Towers around the nation are receiving more calls from drivers who've run out of gas. Now that fuel has surpassed $4 a gallon, towers report that drivers try to push the limit on a tank. And that leads to miscalculation. Allstate Motor Club has also reported a rise in out-of-gas calls.

Vermont Tower George Lovell was quoted as saying he's not surprised that drivers try so hard to go longer between fill-ups.  Another tower, Robert Maietta, reported that in addition to towing cars that run out of gas, he recently was called to tow a tractor-trailer left on the side of the road with keys in the ignition, but no gas in the tank.

Another trend attributed to climbing gas prices, is the rise in repossessions. (Source: www.wmtw.com)

City Drops Rotation

Five towers have joined forces to protest one city's plan to restrict its police tow calls to just one company. In Everett, Wash., the city opted to drop its rotation list and contract with a single towing company.

The five towers were incensed and say the job cannot be handled by a single company. They  say they will "pressure" the city to rethink its decision. They want the rotation plan returned. But the city said that citizens' complaints had led them to stop using the other firms. According to an article posted on the HeraldNet, Everett police call for six tows a day; they say the single tower they've contracted can manage it. (Source: HeraldNet)

 

The Economy Of Movement

To survive in the towing business it's imperative that dispatching economizes fleet movement during the day. Out of control gas prices are forcing this practice more than ever before. Many tow companies station their trucks in select spots throughout the day to maximize response time and reduce unecessary movemnt of the trucks. The cream will rise to the top.

Steve Calitri

The Douglas Brothers in Texas are featured in July's A.T.

Tow Truck Driver Honored

Tower William Waite Jr. was honored by a procession of some 20 wreckers, commemorating the life of yet another comrade who died in the line of duty.

The 49-year-old Illinois tower died from injuries he suffered in a three-vehicle crash earlier in the week while working on a tractor-trailer on the shoulder of Interstate 80. Waite's truck was hit by a semi. (Source: News Tribune Online)
SSCS Again Backs Academy

SSCS, Inc., creators the internet based dispatch and towing management program, Digital Dispatch, is once again sponsoring the American Towman Academy. "Thanks again to Kerry Lugo, president of SSCS, we are able to produce a world class seminar program in Baltimore," said American Towman Publisher Steve Calitri.