It's your job to keep not only yourself but also motorists safe. The following suggestions can help you better protect lives during service, towing, and collision events.
During Service Events:
- Set up your tow truck or service vehicle behind the disabled vehicle. While this is an industry-standard practice for police, fire, and medics, it is not required for towers. Nevertheless, operators should still do this to protect their workspace and the motorist. It is always safer to park behind the disabled vehicle because there is more mass in the tow truck for protection than the customer’s vehicle.
- When you are servicing the disabled vehicle, the safest place for the customer is in their own car – with their seat belts on. Although many customers may think it’s safer to be on the side of the road or in the grass, this is not the case. The safest place is in a vehicle rather than out of it during a collision, as many customers have been struck by other motorists who were not paying attention and veered off the road onto the median or shoulder.
- In the event you need to move a customer from their vehicle, remember that you are exposing them to the dangers you experience as a tow operator. Timing is extremely important when moving the customer; make sure to always be aware of surrounding traffic and get them to safety as soon as possible.
- Do not allow motorists in the roadway. Because of the shock or frustration resulting from the event, they may not be thinking clearly and could try to pick up pieces of their vehicle or take pictures of the scene for insurance claims.
- Any personal items can be retrieved from the customer’s vehicle at the destination. Whether it’s a cell phone, charger, laptop, purse or other personal item, many customers will want to retrieve these items from the backseat or trunk but it’s important to get these individuals into your truck as soon as possible.
- Clear all operational vehicles from the roadway to prevent secondary collisions. Remember, secondary collisions are often more serious than the original, and account for approximately 20 percent of all crashes. Always be aware of circumstances that could result in secondary crashes, especially during the winter or inclement weather (e.g., rain, snow, fog).
- Load and clear non-operational vehicles to prevent secondary collisions.
- Clear the accident scene of any debris to prevent secondary object collisions or other safety issues.
Other Best Practices:
- Wear ANSI Class 3 compliant apparel. This is federally mandated for operating on interstate highways, but good practice in all other situations. Also, make sure to check the condition and location of your apparel.
- Always keep your phone on you and be sure to stay in contact with dispatch. This way, dispatch will know your last position and can send help immediately in case of an emergency.
- Perform a complete commercial vehicle inspection at the beginning of every shift to avoid unnecessary mechanical failures.
- Pull out the winch line and perform a visual inspection of the entire line from drum to hook.
- Avoid blinding approaching traffic by “over-lighting” the scene to prevent creation of an additional hazard.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Provider Advocate Group by submitting a ticket or live chatting with an agent, both available at info.agero.com/network.