Posts by Editorial Staff
Illinois Tow Operator Dies, Son Injured in Christmas Eve Traffic Crash
According to news reports, A tow operator was killed and his 15-year-old son was seriously injured when the heavy-duty tow truck he was driving collided with another semi truck on December 24 in Kankakee County, Illinois. The Illinois State Police reports that at approximately 7 a.m. on Christmas Eve a truck driver lost control of…
Read MoreUPDATE: Wisconsin Tow Operator Struck and Killed in Christmas Eve Hit and Run
The tow operator who was struck and killed Tuesday, Dec. 24, near Summit, Wisconsin, has been identified as Hussain Farhat, 40, of Yaffo Towing in Chicago, Illinois. According to the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, Farhat was loading a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of I-94 eastbound near Sawyer Road at approximately 6:45 p.m. when he…
Read MoreUPDATE: Texas Tow Operator Killed in Hit and Run
A tow operator was struck and killed in a hit and run on Friday December 20 in Bell County, Texas. The operator has been identified as David Holz of Killeen. A suspect who was driving the vehicle that struck Holtz has been identified, but the suspect’s name has not been released pending an arrest warrant.…
Read MoreFTC “Junk Fee” Rule Announcement: Towing Industry is Not Included
Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA) press release: On December 17, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released its “Junk Fee” rule. As a direct result of TRAA’s efforts, we are thrilled to share that the rule does not include the towing industry. The final rule is a significant reversal by the FTC and…
Read MoreTowMate Introduces Electro-Cups for Non-Magnetic Vehicle Surfaces
TowMate press release: TowMate has introduced Electro-Cups (P/N: ECUP-PR). These rechargeable, self-monitoring suction cups are designed to securely attach to clean, smooth, non-magnetic surfaces such as aluminum, glass, or fiberglass providing a versatile mounting solution for TowMate’s magnetic tow lights. With the growing use of non-magnetic materials in modern vehicles, Electro-Cups offer a reliable and…
Read MoreRecall of Kenworth and Peterbilt Models
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that PACCAR Incorporated (Peterbilt/Kenworth) is recalling over 220,000 trucks covering a range of vehicle makes and models. According to the NHTSA, the focus of the recall are “safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation…
Read MoreMandic Motors is On-Site Location for California State Ranger Training
Mandic Motors, Inc. press release: Mandic Motors, Inc. of Huntington Beach, CA, is a longtime towing and roadside assistance company that dates back to 1939. Mandic Motors has also been the City’s official contracted towing company for the Huntington Beach Police Department almost that long. However, there’s a newer relationship that’s been developed between Mandic…
Read MoreYou Better Watch Out
With the holidays here, my granddaughter has been singing many traditional holiday songs like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Being three years old, she is often told to “turn her listening ears on.” To me, she’s a typical three-year-old and I can only imagine what she’s thinking when she’s told this, and then her…
Read MoreTowing and Recovery Across the Globe, End-of-Year Tax Deduction, International Towing Industry Snapshot, Tennessee Tow Show Review and More
The Tow Times December issue has an international theme as we review towing and recovery equipment from around the world, sponsored by Miller Industries. We’ll also look at issues concerning tow operators, emergency services and motorists in different countries, and the Recovery Review department features the recovery of a refuse truck overturned in a canal…
Read MoreUPDATE: New Date For APTO’s Annual Tow Truck Christmas Parade — December 22
The Association of Professional Towers – Ohio (APTO) invites towing companies to join its 2nd annual Tow Truck Christmas Parade in Columbus, OH. The parade will travel a short route around the Nationwide Children’s Hospital as children watch from the windows in their rooms. An APTO press release states: “Help us brighten the night of…
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