The Rollover from Hell

By Randall C. Resch

Somewhere out there is “The Rollover from Hell.” When tow management fails to train tow operators in quick clear techniques, operators won’t have sufficient skills to work rollover scenarios. And when faced with that extra difficult rollover recovery, there’s one “viable solution” that has some towers up in arms. There’s no arguing that operators are “still at odds” regarding transporting vehicles upside down. Some reasoning seems appropriate while other opinions are farfetched.

Ask yourself, why doesn’t upside down transport make sense? Some towers are quick to say because “Transporting upside down is illegal.” While there are dangers to consider during any recovery, towers have a job to do.

Work It or Move it?

We know transporting upside down isn’t a preferred technique, yet I know of no incident in which a vehicle caught fire or exploded from batteries shorting out or fuel ignited (by sparks) while a vehicle was transported upside down. It’s easy to think fire and explosion may result from upside transport. Could it possibly happen? Sure. But I challenge anyone to provide traceable evidence of that ever occurring.

I’m not suggesting transporting a vehicle upside down long distance, but to a nearby location to complete the roll. If doing so gets me out of lanes faster, I consider that a realistic choice. Many towers don’t understand the TIMs concept of “Work it or move it.” Moving to another location or taking casualty vehicles to the yard may prevent secondary collisions from occurring “in the que.”

Consider working a rollover on a narrow, darkened rural roadway, in the dark; it’s raining and only a single police vehicle is on-scene up ahead. Does it not make sense to load upside down and move to a safer location?

Plenty of hard-headed towers gruffly say “No cop’s gonna’ tell me how to do my job!” That may be a tough guy response, but is it the wisest choice? It’s my opinion that towers who serve law enforcement have a professional mindset that first “listens to the officer’s request,” then acts accordingly.

Some towers arrive on-scene and initiate “arrival assessment” without contacting the Incident Commander (IC) or investigating officer. Towers may not know what extenuating circumstance exist in which an upside-down request may be warranted. Towers, how can you react when you don’t have all the facts?

Lawful versus Unlawful

An upside-down vehicle contained a deceased motorist during rush hour collision. The IC and coroner elected to “move” the upside-down vehicle to another location for several reasons. 1.) to conduct victim extrication away from the media and gawkers 2.) to open lanes quickly to avert potential secondary collision 3.) to protect the integrity of the deceased person’s identity.

Scenarios like these make upside-down transport a reality. When determined by the IC to be “moved” in this manner, refusing an order to do so could be in violation of the highway patrol or police department contract.

The California Highway Patrol’s Tow Service Agreement, Tow Truck Drivers, Section 8 (3)(C), states, “Tow truck drivers shall perform all towing and recovery operations in the safest and most expedient manner possible.”

Also noted in Section 16, Demeanor and Conduct, Sub-Section A, says, “While involved in CHP rotation tow operations or related business, the tow operator and/or employee(s) shall refrain from any acts of misconduct including, but not limited to, any of the following: 2) Lack of service, selective service, or refusal to provide service which the operator is capable of performing.”

If it’s your company’s policy to not conduct upside-down transport, don’t do it; but be “ready and willing” to offer solutions to work the recovery. Management must understand that refusing to conduct work at an officer’s request could result in disciplinary action or removal from the contract. To decline service is a violation of the contract.   

Stand on Yer’ Head

My drivers are capable or doing whatever they can to serve law enforcement. They’re fully trained to work rollovers in whatever time it takes to load upside-down. And when the decision to work traditional rollover versus loading upside-down, drivers shall consider the officer’s request and call dispatch for supervisor approval if necessary.  

Upside down transport isn’t illegal nor is it something you can’t do within your capable hands. And if you’re that hard-set on not considering an officer’s request, perhaps you shouldn’t be serving law enforcement.   _____________________

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner. As consultant and trainer, he authored and teaches a tow truck operator safety course approved by the California Highway Patrol. For 51-years, he has been involved in the towing and recovery industry. In 26-years, he has contributed more than 700-safety focused articles for American Towman Magazine and TowIndustryWeek.com. 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.