Posts by Editorial Staff
Thoughts and Comments
The Wisconsin Towing Association recently sent out a survey titled, “Tell Us About Your Company.” The survey included the usual company information: Name, address, and a brief company history, along with an opportunity to comment on lessons learned, the biggest misconceptions of tow operators, training and certification, and final thoughts. As I read the responses,…
Read MoreCalifornia Tow Operator Stabbed to Death Answering Late-Night Call
A tow operator responding to a late-night call Tuesday, June 18, in San Mateo County, California, was found stabbed to death. According to a news report on KTVU Fox2 news, John Pekipaki, 31, of South Bay was discovered by sheriff’s deputies as the mortally-injured operator yelled for help. Deputies were near the scene as they…
Read MoreMan Sought in Deadly Hit-and-Run Has Previous Arrest Warrant
The man suspected of driving the BMW that crashed into a tow operator, his customer and the operator’s tow truck on June 10 in Tucson, Ariz., has a warrant out for his arrest for violating parole in an aggravated assault case. Police Justin Lang, 32, is being sought by police in connection with the deadly…
Read MoreTowing Operator Safety and More
The Tow Times June issue focuses on safety with top 10 crash avoidance tips, teaching safety in the workplace and safety measures towing operators can use on the job. This issue also includes a look at how tires are a critical foundation for any tow truck. Tire selection, maintenance and brands are some of the…
Read MoreTow Operators Rescue Man from North Carolina Floodwaters
Two tow operators are in the news after rescuing a man trapped on the roof of his car surrounded by rushing floodwaters in Jamestown, N.C. According to news reports, the two drivers, Danny Ward and Phillip Alston, were driving back to their shop in the early morning darkness on June 8 when they saw vehicle…
Read MoreRaising the Bar
What’s needed to raise the bar of professionalism in the towing and recovery industry? What will it take to raise the standards of quality or the motoring public’s expectations our industry? My first thought would be education and communication. I had a lively discussion with a fellow tower about training and the three levels of TRAA certification.…
Read MoreCalifornia Tow Operator Killed in Hit-and-Run Identified
The tow operator who was killed in Castaic, Calif., on May 31 has been identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. Erwin Geremillo, 47, a resident of Castaic and operator for AAA, was loading a vehicle on a tow truck on the southbound 5 Freeway when he was struck by a tandem-axle truck. The…
Read MoreCalifornia Tow Operator Killed by Semi While Assisting Disabled Vehicle
A AAA tow operator, approximately 35 years old, was struck and killed Friday evening, May 31, by a semi-truck while preparing to tow a disabled pickup near Castaic, California. The semi-truck fled the scene. News and police reports state the operator was working alongside the southbound 5 Freeway. The crash occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m.…
Read MoreWe Need to Talk
I sometimes struggle when I have to talk to someone about a difficult situation. I’m not sure what to say or how to say it. And it doesn’t have to be business-related either. I was recently faced with a situation that I needed to shift from being challenging to becoming cooperative. I decided to go…
Read MoreNew “Slow Down Move Over” Signs for Manitoba Highways
The provincial government of Manitoba has announced that it will erect signs on Manitoba highways to raise awareness of the slow down and move over law to protect emergency responders. The law currently states that if the speed limit is 80 kilometers per hour or higher, motorists approaching emergency vehicles must slow to 60 kph.…
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