Posts by Editorial Staff
2021 Shine ‘n Star Winners, Light-Duty Vehicle Rollovers, Towing Software Comparison and More
The Tow Times November issue unveils the winners of the 2021 Shine ‘n Star Contest. This much anticipated issue names the first, second and third place winners in the light-, medium-, heavy-duty, car carrier and working truck categories, plus the new rotator category and shout-outs. Part 2 of the “Light-Duty Vehicle Rollovers and Recoveries” article…
Read MoreATA Chief Economist Pegs Driver Shortage at Historic High
Source: ATA press release: On October 25, American Trucking Associations’ Chief Economist Bob Costello said the current driver shortage has risen to 80,000 – an all-time high for the industry. “Since we last released an estimate of the shortage, there has been tremendous pressure on the driver pool,” Costello said. “Increased demand for freight, pandemic-related…
Read MoreAAA Donates $50,000 to the Survivor Fund
Source: AAA Press Release: AAA Inc. donated $50,000 to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivor Fund at the annual Wall of the Fallen ceremony commemorating roadside heroes who have lost their lives in service to others. [Editor’s Note: The October 9 ceremony was part of Museum Weekend, held during the…
Read MoreNew Dual Fork Holders from Miller Industries
Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. has introduced new dual fork holders for heavy-duty towing. While traditional single fork holders have an optional bolt-on extender to add a wider stance to the fork, this new dual fork holder no longer requires the additional wider-stance extender, reducing cost for tow companies, and more than doubling efficiency when…
Read MoreOregon Tow Operator Struck and Killed by Tractor-Trailer on I-5
A tow operator was struck and killed Wednesday, Nov. 3, while recovering a vehicle on I-5 southbound near Roseburg, Ore. Operator Henry Alan Lichtwald, 63, of Roseburg was recovering the vehicle at approximately 10:50 p.m. when, according to Oregon State Police, the driver of an approaching tractor-trailer failed to move over and struck the tow…
Read MoreHino Trucks Ushers in Third Generation of Vehicle Connectivity
Hino Trucks has introduced Hino Edge, the company’s new, third generation connected vehicle solution. Hino Edge synergizes the digital connection between the fleet customer, dealer network, Telematics Service Providers (TSP’s), and Hino Ultimate Support Center. The solution replaces Hino Insight and is included on qualifying 22MY and newer Hino conventional trucks as standard equipment. Hino…
Read MoreMHC Safety Team Wins Safety Excellence Award
Murphy-Hoffman Company (MHC) has announced that it won the Safety Excellence award from the National Safety Council’s Green Cross for Safety program. MHC was recognized for its highly effective vehicle safety program, which was developed in 2012 to train employees on the importance of defensive driving skills. The National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety…
Read MoreAAA Finds Better Behavior Behind the Wheel, But There’s Room for Improvement
Source: AAA news release: A new report finds unsafe driving behaviors, including red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired on cannabis or alcohol, have declined in the past three years. Some dangerous driving behaviors have fallen more than others, with drivers still admitting to speeding and using a handheld cell phone, posing a danger on…
Read MoreOklahoma Tow Operator Recovering from Serious Injuries in Hit-And-Run
A tow operator is recovering after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Wednesday, Oct, 20, in southeast Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City Police Department said operator Troy Stewart, 47, was in the southbound lane closest to the curb on Sunnylane Road between SE 59th Street and SE 74th Street securing a vehicle to his tow truck…
Read MorePennsylvania Tow Operator Killed in On-the-Job Accident
A tow truck operator was killed Tuesday, October 19 in an on-the-job accident in Onteulaunee Township, Pa. According to news reports, operator Jose A. Tirado Zamot, 46, of Reading had used a heavy-duty tow truck to tow a truck tractor to the Berman Truck Group property near Leesport. Although there were no witnesses to the…
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