Head in-the-Sand Mentality … a Deadly Practice
By Randall C. Resch
Although there’s huge industry emphasis on working away from approaching traffic, towers continue to put themselves in harm’s way. The message is there, but towers continue to ignore it.
This all too well-known tragedy repeated itself … again. And in the mindset of another operator’s passing, the tow community’s outpouring of sadness and anger extends fault to blame law enforcement for not enforcing SDMO.
There’s no accurate accounting of operator fatalities by the industry and law enforcement. I estimate as many as 737-operators have been killed working on-highway events dating to 1928. Pedestrian strikes (against towers) is a known fact always in the industry’s forefront. Equally true are media segments confirming these occurrences.
In April 2025, a south Florida tow owner/operator responded to tow a vehicle situated on a highway’s shoulder. While preparing said vehicle, he was struck by a motorist who failed to slow down and move over. Several articles stated: “He was operating outside the tow truck when struck.”
This begs the question: Was the tower working the traffic side?
Missing the Message
When working freeway events, actions must be quick, decisive and accurate. Anything less than that may result in deadly consequences. In Florida’s fatality, in a “petition for change,” opening words stated: “He did everything right. But it wasn’t enough. Every six days in America, a tow truck operator is killed while helping others.” Had he not been exposed to the traffic side, would he not have been struck?
The phrase “Every six days in America” is factually inaccurate and undermines the professionalism and credibility of our industry. I’m perplexed by the simple fact that the towing community often blames the motoring public for failing to Slow Down and Move Over, while disregarding the actions of towers themselves. This is a well-known issue within our own ranks.
I’m stunned by many towers who don’t practice on-scene awareness when working on-highway events. It’s they who work directly in harm’s way. This is “head in-the-sand” mentality!
Call these words harsh, but they’re a reoccurring reminder that towers haven’t changed on-scene processes and techniques to place them away from the dangers of approaching traffic.
Newly initiated was a petitioner’s signature campaign, hoping for increased enforcement and penalties against motorists violating SDMO. In the comment pages, an anonymous tower submitted comments displaying questionable mentality towards on-scene safety.
In his words, the commenting tower stated: “I’ve been hit on the shoulder twice on the side of the road, and I’ve gotten hit with about five-mirrors.” Personally, I’m mortified by these comments as they bring several thoughts to mind:
Are towers oblivious to on-highway dangers?
Do they (likely) never attend a National TIM course?
Do they not know the non-traffic side is the safer side?
Is on-highway training conducted where they work?
The “Root Cause” Is?
To reduce the risk of a deadly pedestrian strike, there’s an important and often overlooked truth that towers need to fully grasp. Let’s explore this reality by considering three key points.
Other than existing laws for Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) operators, or, Motorist Assist Operators (MAP) training requirements, there are no federal or state laws mandating required on-highway training for the average operator and technician providing on-highway services
Existing vehicle code laws require the application of complete four-point tie-down for carriers, ratchets and straps for wheel lifts and dollies, safety chains to towed vehicles, and extension lights in place. These code requirements place tow operators directly in harm’s way
Many laws have been on-the-books for decades. Accordingly, state tow truck associations have done little to nothing to lobby “change,” “amendment,” or “exemption,” to existing laws allowing for a “partial, safety hookup process.” Nothing exists for on-highway towers to apply minimal safety restraint to non-traffic sides of rescued vehicles to get off the highway or to safer locations
Lobby for Change
When interpreting vehicle code laws specific to operator safety, there’s no written word requiring tow operators to position themselves directly in harm’s way. I find no narrative mandating that tow operators shall get themselves killed in the service of others.
Since the invent of GPS, cellphones, iPods, and those technical advances delivered to mobile entertainment, distracted driving is the monstrous catalyst leading to operator deaths. And although SDMO has been around for twenty-something years, motorists continue to maim and kill operators serving the highways.
When another preventable incident takes a tow worker’s life, I examine what root causes or associated factors led to the tower’s death. Nowhere in this narrative will you hear me refer to “Accident.” Why not? Accidents are preventable!
When towers knowingly place themselves on the traffic side, stand in active lanes, or stand between vehicles, the reality of fatal strike increases immensely. So why doesn’t common sense prevail?
Towers, why not reevaluate your on-highway response by taking necessary steps and not place yourselves in harm’s way. Changing tires for free, or for chump change is nothing less than risking a straight line into a pine box. Yes, there are other options and solutions beyond intentionally facing a deadly scenario.
I’d like to believe that we, as towers, work smart and make a conscious effort to position ourselves out of harm’s way. Suggesting that a tower is killed every six days makes our industry appear ignorant of the lessons we’ve learned. Am I wrong?
Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired, veteran, California police officer, former tow business owner and industry advocate. As consultant and trainer, he authored and teaches tow truck operator safety courses approved by the California Highway Patrol. For 55-years, he has been involved in the towing and recovery industry. In 29-years, he has contributed more than 760-safety focused articles for American Towman Magazine, TowIndustryWeek.com and is a frequent seminar presenter and beauty pageant judge at tow shows. In 2014, he was inducted to the International Towing and Recovery Industry Hall of Fame, was the 3rd recipient of the industry's "Dave Jones Leadership Award," and is a member of American Towman’s Safety Committee.
Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.
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