Help Us Help You

My job description says I’m a tow truck operator.

I can winch you out of the ditch, change your flat tire, give you a jump start or tow your disabled vehicle to a repair facility.

But do you know what else I can do?

I can be a husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, sister or brother. I can be a little league coach, chairperson of my state towing association, or I can be a volunteer at the food pantry that helps feed others. I can help you while I’m at work, and after work too. I can and will help, but you — the motoring public — have responsibilities. Help us help you.

Can you move over or slow down when you see me working on the side of the roadway? Can you be more aware of your surroundings when driving to save my life so I can go home at the end of the day?

Educate everyone you know about the move over or slow down law. The law requires motorists to change lanes if possible, to move away from emergency or maintenance vehicles with lights in operation – this includes tow trucks. If a safe lane is not possible, or if traveling on a two-lane roadway, the motorist must slow the vehicle, maintain a safe speed for traffic conditions and drive at a reduced speed until the motorist has completely passed the vehicle. By moving over, motorists create a safety zone for not only themselves, but for those working along the roadway.

This past week, the towing and recovery industry lost another tow operator who was just doing his job. In his memory and in the memory of all fallen tow operators, ask motorists to please help us help them – obey the move over or slow down law.