Industry News
Come Face to Face With OOIDA at the Summit
The Towing & Recovery Management Summit, hosted by Tow Times magazine, has invited Mike Matousek, director of government affairs at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), to be the main guest at this year’s closing session. Matousek will discuss OOIDA’s national campaign for increased government oversight of the pricing practices of the non-consensual segment of the towing industry. Under Matousek, OOIDA has aggressively…
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 MoreJune Is Move Over-Slow Down Month
June is Move Over-Slow Down Month. Towing operators have one of the highest fatality rates of any industry. Be aware. Stay safe. Make sure everybody in your region knows about Move-Over-Slow Down. Spread the word.
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 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 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.…
Read MoreTRAA Elects First Female President
The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. ® (TRAA) held its biennial elections for all executive cabinet positions and the results were announced at the conclusion of TRAA’s Annual General Membership Meeting, April 12 in Orlando, Fla. Joanne Blyton of Montana was elected TRAA’s first female president. “It’s taken 40 years, but TRAA finally…
Read MoreITRHFM to Sell LED Flashing Safety Arrows
The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that it recently completed an agreement to sell portable, lighted safety arrows. The effort, intended to complement the Survivor Fund, continues the museum’s efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of the towing and road service profession. The safety arrows are designed to…
Read MoreIowa Police Conduct Move Over Law Enforcement Campaign
The Iowa State Patrol conducted an enforcement campaign of the state’s move over law along Highway 218 and I-80 in Johnson County on May 29. According to a KWWL.com news report, tow trucks were staged on the roadside as part of the enforcement, and police vehicles also parked on the roadside pulled over motorists who failed to…
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