Did you know that there are over 50,000 towing-related accidents every year, as reported by the National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA)? These cause more than 21,000 injuries and approximately 450 deaths. As if that’s not enough, towing professionals face a fatality rate that’s roughly 15 times higher than the average worker, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
With such statistics, anyone who’s interested in working as a tow operator must take their safety seriously. Here are some tips to ensure that:
1. Ensure Proper Truck Maintenance
One of the elements of towing that’s commonly covered in TDLR towing license courses is proper tow truck maintenance and its importance. It may sound like a lot of work at first, but you never want to ignore it, given the consequences. So, make sure to regularly inspect and maintain your tow truck to keep it in optimal working condition. Also, make it a habit to inspect your brakes, lights, and tyres before every shift.
It’s also highly recommended to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and accidents related to mechanical failures. Where possible, consider investing in top-quality equipment for better reliability and safety performance.
2. Wear High Visibility Gear at All Times
Even though high-visibility clothing is a formality for tow truck drivers in many states, that’s not the only reason you should use it. Such gear is typically the first line of defence between you and distracted drivers. Even during daylight hours, your high-visibility clothing makes sure that drivers spot you well before they reach the scene. Always remember that the more visible you are, the more reaction time drivers have.
3. Apply Defensive Driving Tactics
It’s not uncommon for tow truck drivers to get carried away a bit during a recovery. However, you must do everything you can to remain alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. This is one of the times when your defensive driving skills come in handy, as they make it easier to anticipate and respond to hazards on the road.
Make sure to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and don’t forget to adjust your speed to account for the towing weight. Not only that, but you must observe traffic rules and regulations at all times, and especially when changing lanes and getting into intersections.
4. Position Your Truck for Maximum Protection
You may not have considered just how much protection your tow truck can offer from exposure to moving traffic. A well-positioned tow vehicle should sit at an angle that blocks the working area while leaving enough room for equipment operation.
It must also provide a clear escape route for you, just in case a driver loses control. Don’t forget to place flashing cones and hazard lights in a way that boosts visibility even in bad weather and other low-visibility conditions.
5. Load and Secure Vehicles Properly
Before leaving every recovery site, make sure you’ve properly secured the vehicle you are towing to the tow truck. Check and double-check that you’ve used the appropriate straps, chains, and other equipment depending on the size and weight of the vehicle being towed. Additionally, make sure you haven’t overloaded your truck, since each one of these has a maximum towing capacity. You should also consider using additional safety measures and equipment, like wheel chocks, to prevent accidental movement when securing the vehicle to the tow truck.
Keep Learning About Tow Truck Safety
Towing will always involve risk, but you can manage this through consistent habits and even knowing when to walk away and seek support. It will always be better to play safe than risk damaging your client’s property or, even worse, risking lives, yours included.
The tips mentioned in this article are a great start, but if you want to keep learning about safety in towing, make sure to get continuing education courses for tow truck drivers from RocketCert.
