American Towman Magazine - February 2024

AT EXPO XXXIV RECAP

The Road Calls

TRIBUTES TO FALLEN TOWMEN ROBOTIC RECOVERY AT A HOSPITAL HOW TO SCREEN NEW HIRES

TowIndustryWeek.com

FEBRUARY 2024 AmericanTowman.com

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Contents

Volume 48 Issue 2

February 2024 14

Tribute Time

by George Nitti

Cover Feature Features

20

Robotic Recovery at a Hospital A Surgical-like Operation in a Collapsed Garage

Wreckers roll out for fallen towmen to pay their respects and show support for their families and friends. These solemn processions occur all too often.

Photos by Megan Beattie at MC Photography

Departments 8

The Walkaround

10

News Share

12

Road Tools

13

Zoom In

26

Tow Manager

34

Ad Index

64

Wrecker Maintenance

68

Tow Boss

74

Supplier Scoop

84

Towman’s Market

86

My Baby

90

Lowdown

97

Adventures of A.T.

by Steve Temple

26

Screening New Hires Critical Background Checks

by Brian J. Riker

35

AT Expo XXXIV Recap Bigger and Better Than Ever!

6 • February 2024 | Towman.com

First on the scene since 1977

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 7

The Walkaround Expo Highlights and a Solemn Procession Welcome to winter! Most of the country has been gripped by severe weather in one form or another.

To ensure your equipment is operating at its fullest Dennie Ortiz potential during these harsh conditions, be sure to Publisher read the recommendations cited in our new Wrecker Maintenance department. Timely suggestions are made to protect your valuable equipment investment with minimal effort.

How would you approach a recovery of over 100 vehicles from a collapsed parking garage? This seemingly impossible task was accomplished through the use of robotic technology. Peruse through the photos of the massive damage which had to be navigated by a compact machine to get the job done.

We have a special treat for you within the Expo Recap section that takes a literal “look back” at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore this past November. Mixing business with pleasure was in full-swing during the industry’s largest show. Enjoy the many candid photos of the lively happenings on the exhibit floor and at the exciting, noteworthy events. A feast for your eyes awaits with the vibrant artistic vehicles on display in the American Towman Wrecker Pageant.

While at the Expo, friends and family members of Keagan Spencer and Frank Ingram (two towers who had recently been struck and killed), joined us to share the background stories of their lost loved ones. Even through their grief and sorrow, the families of these towers made the trek to Baltimore to promote the critical importance of the SDMO laws in the hopes of preventing any future needless deaths.

The main feature of this issue covers several funeral processions that took place in the last few months. These largely attended processions provided a way for the community to come together to honor and pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of helping others.

We at American Towman salute you and all that you do—thank you so much.

As always stay safe out there!

Can Technology Save Lives?

Our coverage of a collapsed hospital parking garage and subsequent recovery brings to mind an important safety aspect for towers. The robotic unit used was able to bring out more than a hundred trapped vehicles without the operators having to risk their lives in the debris throughout the fallen levels of the garage. In Steve Temple particular, note that the tracked robot’s remote control Editor can be operated from as far away as 125 feet, so it clearly has value for operators who need to maintain a safe distance from hazards. While this specialized piece of equipment might not be needed if there’s plenty of room on a roadside, it could help reduce risks to towers in a variety of precarious situations and terrains. Of course, our industry offers all sorts of wreckers and equipment for safe and efficient handling of difficult recoveries, and we’ll continue to highlight them and the proper procedures to follow for safety’s sake.

8 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Steve Temple Randall Resch Terry Abejuela David Kolman John Borowski Mark Lacek Brian Riker George Nitti Henri “Doc” Calitri Paul Stephens

Publisher & President Editor-In-Chief Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Chassis Editor Safety Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor

Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Bill Johnson Kurt Wilson Tasha Mora Ron Meyers

Dallas, Texas South Hadley, Mass.

Creve Coeur, Ill. Austin, TX. Cambridge, OH.

American Towman Staff President AT Expo Corp.

Art Director Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec.

Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager Finance Manager Conferences & Events Sr. Mgr. Events Manager Publisher’s Assistant Registration & Subscription Mgr. ATTV Producer Customer Service

Henri “Doc” Calitri Anne Ruzsilla Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Lisa Ciraldo Ilce Negri Bryna Stankiewicz Stephanie Marchese Andrea Wynn Emily Oz Henri Calitri

American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546

E-Mail: President Editor-In-Chief Editor Subscriptions

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 9

News Share Ontario Implements Towing Reforms The Canadian Province of Ontario has implemented towing reforms through a law passed in 2021 to mitigate turf wars, shootings, and arson. The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), which came into effect in Ontario beginning New Year’s Day, requires that towing companies come under provincial rather than municipal regulations. Tow truck operators, drivers and vehicle storage operators will need a provincial license and criminal background check to operate. Currently, operators must register with individual cities, and not all of them have rules regulating the profession.

According to a press release published by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), “Towing services were previously licensed at the municipal level, creating a confusing patchwork of rules and fees for consumers.

Provincial oversight will help to ensure that the motoring public has a reliable, growing, and reputable tow industry for years to come.”

Teresa Di Felice, a spokesperson for Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), says the new rules will ensure a higher working standard, protect consumers stranded on roads, and address the turf wars that have put the industry in the spotlight over the years.

“This level of oversight will create more standardization, will create standards in consumer protection and how the industry treats each other,” Di Felice pointed out.

According to Mark Graves, president of the Professional Towing Association of Ontario, some of the consumer protection requirements don’t go so far as to remove the practice of first-to-the-scene, which incentivizes operators to rush to a crash, and aren’t yet clear on what the new payment structures will be Gary Vandenheurvel, the owner of Preferred Towing in Sarnia, Ont., says he welcomes the new licensing and criminal background check requirements. But he’s unsure about how the new rate structures will affect his business, and situations where police order a car to be taken away, instead of the owner of the vehicle.

“We need to now go back and take a look at this structure and say, well, how are we going to be paid and compensated fairly for everything we do on every job?”

Vandenheurvel asked.

Sources: ncbc.ca and finance.yahoo.com

10 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Midwest Towers

in Overdrive due to Snowstorm

Tow truck drivers in the Midwest were deluged with phone calls to help stranded motorists or pick up vehicles after a major storm hit the region. In Lincoln, Nebraska, most especially, towing companies saw a huge volume of calls from the winter blast and fully expected those numbers to grow throughout the coming days. Midwest Towing and Recovery said they received about 40 to 60 calls a day, from getting cars out of ditches to towing cars that had broken down because of the cold.

“Cold weather makes stuff break down,” said Andy Weber, an operator for Midwest Towing. “A lot of in-theditch stuff, you know. People just need

to slow down a little bit and take it a little bit easier.”

In Eastern Iowa, there were tow bans in place, keeping tow truck drivers off the interstate in an effort to keep them and other drivers safe. “Absolutely horrible, these road conditions are some of the worst I’ve seen in a long time,” said Alex Langer, a tow truck operator for Big 10 University Towing. “We can’t touch any vehicle on any interstate or highway.”

At one point, there were tow bans in 63 of the 99 counties across the state of Iowa. In Sioux City, Iowa, crews at Stockton Towing said they saw an 80% increase in calls. In Kansas, the phones were ringing off the hook for local tow companies.

“We haven’t had a snowfall like this in so many years that I think everybody still came out with a little bit of shock getting back on the roads,” said Santa Fe Tow Service Office Manager, Kaileigh Kupchin.

Source: 1011now.com kctv5.com Bans were put in place to keep tow operators off the interstate ktiv.com for safety reasons.

Florida Expanding Move Over Law January 1 Florida expanded its “Move Over” law, effective January 1, requiring drivers to move over and slow down for all vehicles displaying flashing lights. Currently, the law applies to law enforcement, wreckers, or other essential personnel.

The law also pertains to vehicles that are stopped and using emergency flares or posting emergency signage as well as vehicles that are stopped and one or more persons are visibly present.

Tow operator Amy Elshahawany says the new law is necessary, as a stalled car or traffic can become deadly.

“These tow trucks are very wide. Some of these sides you don’t have any

Nearly 17,000 drivers were cited for not adhering to the Slow Down Move Over law. room,” said Elshahawany, who works for Stellar Towing and Recovery.

According to AAA, an average of 24 emergency workers, including tow truck drivers, are killed after being struck on roadsides each year.

Source: mynews13.com and tallahassee.com

News Share Virginia Districts Propose Towing Bills

TRAA’s efforts in 2023 include partnering with Megan Meyer, niece of fallen towman Joe Meyer and a spokesperson for a SDMO campaign.

TRAA’s Achievements in 2023

TRAA, in its end-of year-newsletter, summed up key accomplishments that included hosting a Legislative Action Workshop and Hill Day in March. A yearly event, TRAA notes that they have attracted larger numbers of attendees and will move to a larger venue in 2024 to accommodate members.

The organization has been actively submitting comments to the Federal register on several key issues, such as Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT). The newsletter states, “We have successfully worked with the group to fight increased truck weights and continue to lobby for our much-needed weights and length amendments.

Bigger heavier trucks only make our job harder and more dangerous.”

TRAA claims a role in securing co-sponsors for the National Move Over Law Day Resolution that passed the Senate in November. TRAA also highlights their continued efforts to promote the SDMO (Slow Down Move Over) campaign, partnering with Randy Meyer Racing Inc. (RMR) featuring two-time National Hot Rod Association World Champion Megan Meyer as the TRAA Ambassador to Motorsports.

TRAA is actively working with other stakeholders to discourage

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potential legislation that regulates consent towing. The newsletter notes, “This year’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill includes report language that encourages the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to consider implementing a consent towing fraud prevention outreach campaign. It would inform the public about excessive consent towing fees charged by dishonest tow truck operators and educate them about resources to protect themselves from these predatory practices.

TRAA is actively working to support and help secure co-sponsors for the “Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and EighteenWheelers (DRIVE) Act” (S.2671). If passed, the bill would prohibit the FMCSA from implementing any rule or regulation mandating large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) engaged in interstate commerce be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed.

On the state level, TRAA continues to work with affiliate state associations on issues. They write, “Some are state specific while others are broader in nature and have a federal impact.”

Source: TRAA Newsletter

Legislators in several districts in Virginia are proposing legislation that would have an impact on tow businesses. A bill introduced by Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, would decrease the maximum amount a driver could be charged for the initial hookup and towing of their car without their consent from $150 to $50. The bill would also remove minimum hookup and towing fees currently in place in certain localities.

In another Virginia District, Representative Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, and Senator William Stanley, R-Franklin, would prohibit tow truck drivers from offering their services at the scene of any incident that leaves a vehicle wrecked or disabled to the extent that law enforcement has requested that it be towed.

A General Assembly member from Arlington is proposing legislation that will close a loophole and make it easier for Northern Virginia localities to regulate towing companies. Current towing regulations handed down from the state level limit the powers of jurisdictions in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia) to require operating certificates for towing companies that are both located, and store vehicles in, this specific locality.

A measure (House Bill 1827) from Del. Adele McClure, D-Arlington, would remove that restriction, giving localities the power to regulate towing firms the same as they can for those that are located or store vehicles outside the jurisdiction. This measure is supported by Arlington’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board.

Source: royalexaminer.com and gazetteleader.com

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 11

Road Tools Wet Blankets Matjack, known for its recovery airbags and lifting cushions, is now also the North American distributor for Fire Isolator EV blankets and accessories. This blanket is claimed to be the largest on the market, measuring 30 x 20 feet, and with a silica-grade composition, it has the highest temperature rating of 2900 degrees F, and a constant exposure of 2200 degrees F. The Fire Isolator blanket is tested to industry specs of ISO EN 13501-1 and ASTMD 6413. In addition, Matjack also offers Fire Isolator’s Water Mist Lance that can either wet down the blanket to minimize fumes and reduce temperatures, or even penetrate directly into the battery case. Also available from Matjack are lightweight Aerosol Units that are designed to provide portable, handheld fire extinguishers.

matjack.com

Illuminating Idea Nite Beams’ latest product, the Multifunctional Work Light, makes towing jobs safer and easier by providing bright illumination for a recovery scene. Compact and lightweight, weighing only four pounds, it can telescope upward to 42 inches in height. This waterproof unit can also swivel 360 degrees, and provides six dynamic light modes. Power supply is provided by either a rechargeable battery or an AC connection for continuous runtime. The light intensity ranges from 750 to 3000 lumens, and with a battery life from 10 to 20 hours, depending on the brightness setting.

nitebeams.com

Key to Success Nobody likes lugging around a big ring of keys, so why not have a single key for all your locks? That’s exactly what Bolt’s One-Key Technology provides for maximum convenience and security. Bolt locks are designed so that a single ignition key can be programmed to open any number of the company’s wide range of lock types, effectively reducing the need for multiple keys. These locks are ideal for securing tools, gear, ladders, trailers, other valuable equipment, and can be easily programmed when an ignition key is inserted into the lock cylinder.

Once the key is inserted the first time, spring-loaded plate tumblers move into place, immediately coding the cylinder to that unique key. From then on, only the driver’s ignition key is needed for unlocking.

Rugged and weatherproof, Bolt locks are manufactured with a nickel-plated carbon steel pin or shaft assembly/ shield for strength and durability. The locks also feature an automotive-grade stainless steel shutter, a durable, protective rubber shell, and a six-plate tumbler sidebar that prevents picking and bumping.

12 • February 2024 | Towman.com

boltlock.com

Zoom In

MASH Unit Saves Lives

Royal’s IRV (Incident Response Vehicle) does way more than assist with roadside recoveries. Its OEM pickup chassis is equipped with features uniquely designed to handle the specific challenges of traffic incident management, such as providing protection from rear-end collisions with a TrafFix Scorpion II Metro attenuator.

This unit is MASH approved (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware) by the the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and offered by Royal in response to the high accident rates in work zones across the country (with hundreds of fatalities reported in recent years).

In addition, the IRV’s chassis, whether it’s new, customer-supplied or reconditioned by Royal, can be configured for tow operators with an array of equipment needed for cleanups, spills, and assisting disabled vehicles.

The 11-gauge solid steel bulkhead is integrated with the body, measuring 11 feet long and 84 inches wide. For additional safety, IRV features both LED marker and strobe lights, along with a 15lamp, solar-powered LED arrow board mounted on the roof. Also, there are two backup cameras with a seven-inch monitor, plus optional radar, message boards, and driver warning systems.

Rollup doors ensure a narrow profile

of the body, and its integrated aggregate hopper can quickly dispense absorbent material on fuel and oil spills. In addition to compartment-mounted toolboxes, a 50-foot hose reel can be added to provide power to air tools or tire inflation. Other options include a push-bumper, electric winch, inverter for charging tool batteries, and a balloon light specially designed for lighting up the incident response area.

Royal continuously improves and reengineers its trucks to address specific and changing safety concerns, which are conveyed directly from roadside workers, with each enhancement purposefully designed to reduce accidents, injuries and most importantly, deaths.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 13

A

Culture Of

cortÉge

A ritual at many funeral processions involves raising the American flag with rotator booms.

Wreckers Roll Out for Fallen Towmen

By George L. Nitti

Photos by Megan Beattie at MC Photography

T George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009. He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

owing is unique in the way it pays tribute to its fallen towmen that have been struck and killed while working the white line. In this industry, the call goes out that one has passed away, and wreckers roll out and form a line, sometimes miles long. More often than not, a veteran towman with longtime service to his community, who has simply passed away, will get this treatment as well.

Within the last month, towmen in numerous states have paid their respects and honored fallen towers with processions. In Hastings, Michigan, a procession to honor 25-year-old fallen towman Keagan Spencer may have set a record, which included a final tally of 602

14 • February 2024 | Towman.com

vehicles, with more than 400 tow trucks on hand. Sadly, Keagan was hit and killed on a highway median about 15feet from the interstate while seeking to rescue a loose dog. Tow owner Joey Bird of T & J Towing of Kalamazoo, helped to spearhead Keagan’s Final Ride “You could see trucks for miles. It must have been eight to nine miles long,” Bird noted. “The outpouring of support was amazing.”

Adding to his tribute, on the streets of Hastings, Keagan’s hometown, folks came out with signs and flags, crowding the local corners and sidewalks.

“There was a little boy holding a sign in the back of his Dad’s truck that said, ‘Honk for Keagan.’ It was powerful,” Bird added.

Large tribute processions often begin with tow trucks staging together in a large parking lot, which can present some logistical and organizational challenges.

Meanwhile, the tow trucks continuously poured in, large and small, from far and wide, readying to make the run from an oversized parking lot to the church, where Keagan’s funeral was held, his casket delivered on the bed of a tow truck.

P.J. Daly, who owns P.J.’s Towing, said, “We had trucks from all over the state of Michigan.

We had guys from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois—there was even a guy from New York that traveled for Keagan.”

Daly, who brought 16 company tow trucks, was also instrumental in spreading the word.

“The towing community is like none other,” Daly pointed out. “It’s a brotherhood. It gets in your blood. It doesn’t matter what color truck you drive. You want to be there to support another guy that you care about.”

In addition, a couple of rotators were set up to support an enormous American Flag, under which the Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Keagan Spencer

entire procession passed to pay their respects.

A HELPING HAND

Keagan’s father, Matthew Spencer, a tow owner in Hastings, knows the risks that towers encounter each day, having narrowly escaped being hit on several occasions himself. “There’s been times at night I lay awake worrying about my staff and putting them in harm’s way,” he admits.

Keagan was a third-generation tower, with a young family to care for. “He left behind a 16-month-

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 15

Tow trucks at the procession for Keagan Spencer lined up as far as the eye could see in tribute to the fallen tower. More than 400 tow trucks were on hand.

The casket of Keagan Spencer was transported by Spencer’s newly founded tow company, TowZilla, to the funeral home.

old baby, and a four-year-old stepson that he was the provider for,” Matthew stated. “He was engaged to be married to Olivia Kain. He just started a tow company two weeks ago called TowZilla and was killing it. They were well on their way to doing great things.”

Travis True, a best friend and tow owner in Dowagiac, Michigan, said, “He had just posted a picture of his daughter going to work with him, and within two hours of the post she was going home without her dad.”

Travis hopes that Keagan will serve as an inspiration to others to take that leap of faith and pursue their dreams.

“That’s what he was doing,” he said. “Chasing his dreams to help people.”

Just two weeks prior, at a funeral procession for longtime Michigan towman Dave Phelps, for whom Keagan worked, Bird commented, “Keagan looked at me and said, ‘If something ever happens to me, I need you to send me off with a bang,’ and I promised him and that’s what we’re doing.”

By hitting social media, networking and tirelessly spreading the word about the procession, these Michigan towers very successfully got the word out.

Said Daly, “As a towing community, we felt it was up to us to do our best to get as many trucks and people there to show up and give their respects to him.”

MORE TRAGIC TRIBUTES

Friends and co-workers of Keagan assisted in carefully and respectfully handling the casket.

16 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Shortly after Keagan’s procession in Michigan, towers were once again paying their respects to fallen towman Joshua Villa, in Iowa.

More than a hundred tow trucks from around the state lined the streets outside the State Medical Examiner’s office, escorting Villa’s casket to the funeral home.

A sad and solemn display in carrying the casket to memorialize fallen towman Keagan Spencer.

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"There is nothing that could have been done here,” said Bill Atcheson, owner of Rick's Towing.

“That's the hardest part about the whole thing. We preach to get over. We preach to get out of the way.

But at the end of the day, the driver ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

In St. Louis, Missouri, at a procession for Wade Bivens, who was struck and killed on November 29, towers gathered at a car dealership with their truck lights flashing, wielding signs to “Move Over and Slow Down.”

Niki O'Bryan, the manager of Bivins employer, Paw Paw Towing of Millstadt, said the procession aimed to make the public aware of the need to pay attention and watch out for tow trucks and other emergency vehicles responding to accidents.

Ironically, on National Move Over Day, October 21, Towman Frank Ingram, owner of Ingram Towing and Impound Service, was struck and killed in the metro Atlanta area on I-575 while operating a heavy-duty wrecker to pick up a dump truck.

Towers soon lined up for a procession to the site where Ingram was killed to remind drivers to slow down and move over.

In a Last Ride in Pittsburgh for Husam

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 17

deaths, it always hits home. “When one of us goes down it affects all of us,” said Daly. Especially a father and mother who have lost their son, or a wife, a girlfriend, a husband, or a child who has lost their Daddy.

How does one go on after these heartbreaking losses?

“God gives you strength, that’s for sure,” said Matt Spencer.

SPIRIT RIDES

Towers tout the Slow Down Move Over slogan on their sweatshirt apparel.

Shuibat, more than 50 towing companies formed in procession to honor him.

"This is how we honor our fallen, whether it be a brother or sister. This is what we do to show our support for the family," said organizer Joey Janicky. "This man had eight children. He was out here doing his job supporting his children.”

EVEN MORE PROCESSIONS

Previously, there were tributes

for other fallen towmen: for Fred Proffitt in Knoxville, Tennessee; and for retired towman Andy Hovanes, who had a distinguished career in Minnesota, and belonged to several tow associations. Andy was a proud member of the Towing Hall of Fame, and served as fire chief for 12 years Fire Departments.

In Nevada, towers coordinated a procession for two downed police officers from a hit and run.

For all of these unwarranted

Slow Down Move Over advocacy is a key component of organized processional events.

18 • February 2024 | Towman.com

The tradition of wrecker processions honoring the fallen was the phenomenon that sparked American Towman to launch the historic, yearlong Spirit Ride of 2017-2018. This labor-of-love consisted of 308 processions over twelve months, with some 10,000 emergency-service vehicles participating, 95% of them tow trucks. A ceremonial casket was relayed to each of the 308 cities where ceremonies took place, followed by the procession. The Spirit Ride drew significant media attention and helped raise awareness of the Slow Down Move Over laws. At the time of the Spirit Ride, some 60 towmen were being struck and killed annually. (Given the lack of a precise recording system, however, we can only estimate current death rates based on TowIndustryWeek.com, along with various other sources.)

Meanwhile, the processions of wreckers honoring fallen towmen continues to grow, as witnessed by the extraordinary number of vehicles and tow trucks in Keagan’s tribute. Their unified support underscores not only the strong bond among towmen, but also their sense of the daily peril.

Each time towers suit up for the day, just might be their last.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 19

Surgical Precision Robotic Recoveries at a Hospital Parking Structure

By Steve Temple

B

ack in September of 2023, St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, faced an entirely different type of emergency—the collapse of its parking garage, purportedly the result of defective construction materials. Fortunately nobody was injured, but

20 • February 2024 | Towman.com

medical personnel are not trained for handling this type of event—and neither are most tow operators. Recovering a total of 103 vehicles from the flattened garage would require a specialized robot, unlike anything ever used in a surgeon’s operating room.

This unique piece of equipment is able to handle heavy SUVs even under a low overhead clearance.

The upper deck of the hospital’s parking garage suffered a structure failure, trapping more than a hundred vehicles.

Syre Perkins of Tow Atlanta by what he saw. was contacted by both the building “I knew it would be bad, but we contractor and insurance companies didn’t know what to expect,” he to provide this unusual towing admitted. At first sight, the scene equipment. As it turns out, the local was foreboding. sheriff had alerted “Omigod, this these firms about is bad,” he said to RESPONDING himself.

Perkins’ TowTrack PERSONNEL XL, a robotic Adding to the recovery vehicle complexity of the Syre Perkins available through his extraction, Perkins Nicholas Perkins dealership, Tracked stated that no tow Machines.

Upon companies in Florida Darius Sims arrival on scene with had the appropriate Lionel Clark a couple tow trucks insurance for this and a heavy-duty type of government TowTrack XL, Perkins was stunned work. So, he had to purchase

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The distance between the collapsed upper deck (right), and a car transported (left), shows the range of the robotic recovery.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 21

RESPONDING EQUIPMENT 2020 TowTrack XL Robot 2021 Freightliner Business Class M2 with Miller 21.5foot Right Approach LCG 2019 Dodge 5500 with Easyloader body Recovering vehicles from within the structurally compromised garage presented a number of challenges.

The TowTrack XL is able to lift and transport vehicles entirely by remote control from a distance of as much as 125 feet, so as to eliminate any risks to a tow operator.

Once a vehicle was recovered, it was inspected for damage and ultimately reunited with its owner or transported on a car carrier.

22 • February 2024 | Towman.com

2 DJI Air 2 Drones for aerial reconnaissance Allen Towing’s Hino with 21-foot carrier special coverage (for Workers Comp, Errors and Omissions, commercial vehicles and equipment), along with a separate liability policy, with fees all amounting to a whopping $9000 before he could even begin any recovery work. After a multitude of meetings and phone calls, the policies and paperwork were in place.

However, Perkins’ plan for the job still presented several significant challenges. His first step was to put two drones in the sky to assess the situation. Their birds-eye view showed that some of the concrete slabs that had fallen now had a nine-inch incline, and debris littered the surface. Also, a number of vehicles were EVs or large SUVs, and were pinned underneath the collapsed structure.

“A conventional wrecker would have gotten stuck in potholes and broken slabs,” he pointed out.

“They’d be grounded.”

In addition, the TowTrack XL typically handles only one or two vehicles in a recovery—but never more than a hundred. The 34 hours required by this operation spanning over several days, imposed mechanical stress on this piece of equipment, requiring replacement of some hydraulic fittings, but otherwise it held up remarkably well.

For safety purposes, and to maneuver in the constricted spaces, Perkins operated this innovative machine without ever setting foot inside the garage. He was able to stand safely away from the damaged structure, operating the robot from a distance of as much as 125 feet.

To recover each vehicle, the robot deployed a blade (called a spade) underneath the car and lifted up the rear end. It then scooped up the vehicle wherein hydraulic rams on the unit lifted it onto the TowTrack XL with the aid of a second rear spade.

The batteries in the remote controlunit lasted for about five hours of operation, with backups plugged into a nearby charger. Running on a threecylinder Hyundai diesel, the robot could operate for 10 hours before refilling its seven-gallon tank.

With the capability to carry more than 17,000 pounds, it was able to handle a number of heavy EVs, including multiple Teslas, a 2022

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Electric Hummer, a 2023 Rivian R1T, and a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning.

The lower levels of this hospital parking garage were reserved for hospital staff, which generally hold newer and pricier vehicles such

as EVs and European, all-wheeldrive cars and SUVs. These types of vehicles require special handling to prevent damage to complicated vehicle safety systems, such as ABS and traction-control systems.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 23

Per the manufacturer-recommended recovery procedures, wheel-lift wreckers are prohibited from towing these types of passenger vehicles. (And typical wreckers would probably not be able to operate within the parking garage anyway, collapsed or otherwise, due to their size and exceeding the structure’s weight limits.)

The mission for Tow Atlanta was to remove all the trapped vehicles and reunite them with their owners without any additional vehicle damages. The TowTrack XL robot entered the garage like a bionic savior, picked up the vehicles by the wheels and then carried them out without any human physically touching any vehicles. The only additional damages that occurred were a few flat tires, which were repaired immediately by a mobile service once the vehicles were safely removed. All told, this tedious and time-consuming operation was accomplished over a four-day period with surgical precision.

24 • February 2024 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 25

Tow Manager

Screening New Hires Why a Background Check is Critical

By Brian J. Riker

H

iring new employees is something all tow managers do, as it’s a necessary part of operating any business. In the haste to fill a vacancy though, the qualifications and background of the potential new hire might be overlooked. This omission can cause significant problems if not considered, and also properly investigated and documented, right from the start.

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman, with 26 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator, and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. He specializes in helping navigate the complex world of federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. He can be reached at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net

When hiring a commercial driver that will engage in interstate commerce, which applies to almost every tow operator in the U.S., the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires employers to perform a pre-hire investigation, as well as specific annual investigations, in order to confirm continued qualification to act as a commercial driver. The records most commonly used to comply with these requirements include the Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP Report), driver’s

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license abstract, and previous employer inquiries related to safety performance and drug and alcohol testing.

It is important to note that employers of CDL-required drivers must query the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse prior to allowing a new hire to operate a CDLrequired vehicle. Furthermore, a potential employer may query the Clearinghouse for any new hire that has a valid CDL, or has held a CDL or CLP within the previous three years, to ensure they are not in a prohibited status. This also applies even when the CDL holder will not be operating any CDLrequired vehicles.

When hiring non-CDL drivers, employers must still contact any employer the applicant has listed for which they have performed DOT-regulated work within the previous three years. However, contacting previous employers is no longer required, although still recommended, for CDL drivers.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Your insurance premium is based on the projected safety or risk of your employees operating your equipment. Insurance actuaries have very detailed formulas that assign a risk value to specific violations or other behaviors that indicate a pattern of risk. So, preemptively reviewing new hires, and rejecting those with risky backgrounds, means your company will be a better risk for an insurance company, and thereby keep rising premiums in check.

In addition to the insurance premium, there are civil and legal liabilities for negligent hiring of drivers with a poor safety record. Juries have awarded huge verdicts in recent years because of companies not checking their driver’s safety performance history, or allowing someone to continue driving when their record no longer meets the minimum hiring criteria set by company policy. This means, if you have a written hiring policy and minimum acceptable criteria—which you should—it must be followed without exception.

BEYOND BEING QUALIFIED

Employers and tow managers alike all want to hire the best available person for their team. A large part of accomplishing this intent is a thorough background

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 27

Application Tips The hiring process usually begins with an advertisement detailing the job opening and general requirements for applicants.

Potential new hires then complete an application for employment and wait for a response from you, the potential employer.

Most applications include previous employer information and maybe a few personal references. Driver applications will ask about driving record, license, and accident history.

All well-crafted employment applications should include a consumer credit report release and a summary of the applicant’s rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. A copy of this should be made available to the applicant in printed or electronic form upon completion of the application. This release then gives the potential employer the right to check several sources of background information necessary to complete a thorough investigation. Applications for commercial drivers have specific language prescribed by Federal regulation, and CDL candidates have additional releases that must be collected.

Small businesses most often overlook compliance with data security and permission to access data when hiring new employees or completing required annual reviews of drivers. Employment records are covered under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and as such must be treated the same as any other consumer credit report.

This includes having written permission to disclose or request information to or from other employers, agencies, and even thirdparty administrators.

Lastly, if an employer decides to take adverse action against the applicant, or employee, based upon any information contained in any of these reports, the employer is obligated to inform the employee, and allow an appropriate amount of time to respond before taking any adverse action. There are also very specific regulations regarding storage, access and disclosure of DOT drug and alcohol records generated as a motor carrier employing CDL drivers.

One final qualification: this article is not intended as legal advice. Please review the specific language of your contracts, rotation agreements and local regulations, and consult with a local labor law or human resources specialist before taking any action on the information presented here.

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investigation. Besides being an industry “best practice,” a complete background investigation may also be required for contract compliance with law enforcement and motor clubs, in addition to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Given that employees tend to interact with the public, often alone and unsupervised, a criminal history check is important as well, even when not required. Multiple services will conduct these checks for a fee, or a potential employer may be able to submit a request directly to their state law enforcement agency.

Unless you’re required to use a specific law-enforcement agency by contract, there’s an advantage to using a national service. It will search multiple databases to catch things possibly missed in a generic state-level records search. This is obviously critical when hiring individuals from out of state, as they may be running from something.

The same applies to driver records. If an employer is aware that the candidate has recently relocated from out of state, they should check with other states to make sure a prospective hire is not trying to skip out on a bad record.

Using a national background screening service can also provide a potential employer with information that candidates failed to disclose on an application, ultimately allowing for a very thorough screening to ensure they are not deliberately trying to hide past issues. Everyone forgets information on occasion, so not every applicant that failed to disclose a previous employer is hiding something, but it pays to be sure.

OTHER SENSITIVE ISSUES

Identifying any outstanding court orders or other civil actions is important if the candidate will be handling large sums of cash, or have access to sensitive personal information belonging to the company or its clients.

Unfortunately, embezzlement and theft happen often in the tow industry due to the transient nature of many drivers. I personally know of several tow company owners that have had cash, checks, and even customer credit card information stolen from them by unscrupulous drivers and dispatchers who were entrusted with access to these items as part of their jobs. This isn’t just a driver issue, though, as management and administrative positions can also be responsible for criminal acts.

A credit report is a good tool for evaluating an employee’s history with handling money, however, it shouldn’t be the sole tool utilized to make these determinations.

Some very successful people have horrible credit scores because they don’t borrow money in the traditional way, or they are just bouncing back from the brink of disaster. That said, knowing if an employee acts in a financially responsible manner will help to determine their likelihood of succumbing to temptation out of desperation. A credit report may also help determine who might be asking for pay advances or having problems making it until the next payday.

SECOND CHANCES

All of the foregoing doesn’t mean that only angels deserve employment. But, it is largely the employer’s responsibility to know about persons

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 29

being hired, in addition to whether they are legally and technically qualified to perform their jobs.

Some of the hardest working and most reliable people I know have been to prison. However, I don’t believe that a prison sentence should be a life sentence. Upon “paying their debt to society” they should be free, within reason, to rejoin the community and be productive.

Most law enforcement contracts have stipulations concerning the types of prior criminal activity that would disqualify a person from contracts with public transit agencies and school districts. Within cross-border transportation there are strict rules regarding entry into Canada and Mexico. For the average commercial towing company, however, a prior criminal record alone should not be a deal breaker.

Being open to employment opportunities for second chances may even give a business an advantage. Having a readily available source of labor that others overlook can help to fill some positions where criminal history is less important than an ability and a willingness to learn and work hard.

DETERMINING FACTORS

When assessing a potential new hire with a past, there are several things that must be reviewed in order to make an educated decision. First, how long ago was the person convicted, and how well has this individual been adjusting since being released? While someone fresh out of prison might still be employable, he or she may require greater supervision than someone ten years out, and with a spotless record since release.

Also, what were their charges? And are there any restrictions on them such as probation, sex-offender registry or protection orders that restrict where they can legally operate, or who they can be in proximity of?

Again, these are not absolute no-go conditions, but they may restrict the new hire’s usefulness to the point where hiring them is not a wise or practical business decision.

These conditions also require some discretion in regard to other employees. In most instances, an employer cannot divulge the background of a new hire to anyone that does not have a legitimate need to know. This precaution might cause existing employees to become jealous, or even suspicious, if the new hire isn’t required to do certain types of jobs or go to specific trouble spots. Potentially, this may cause difficulties for dispatchers needing to juggle work assignments due to personal restrictions on specific drivers. However, with some clear communication to the team, these are all manageable issues.

ALARMING STATS

Hiring today is one of the most difficult things a business owner will do. The workforce has shifted,

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 31

people are not as willing to forfeit their freedom for a company as much as in the past, nor are employees looking to stay with the same employer for their entire career.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average tenure of a labor-intensive employee, outside of union environments, is only 4.1 years. But the average tenure of a commercial driver is only one year! Obviously people in the

32 • February 2024 | Towman.com

towing industry do not stay for long periods of time. As such, business owners need to be prepared for that reality by maintaining a recruitment plan that includes training, as well as the ability to replace a team member at any given moment while simultaneously working to retain the best ones on staff.

Despite the constant churn, owners cannot afford to skimp, or skip, on any part of the training

and qualification process. A large part of this process is recruiting qualified and competent individuals that are an acceptable risk, and then continuing to mitigate that risk.

Conducting complete background investigations, while time consuming and costly, can prevent many problems before they happen.

To quote Dave Ramsey from his best-selling book Entreleadership, “We try to keep crazy out of the building here.” This apt advice sums up the reasons for, and purpose of, background screenings and detailed interviews for all candidates, regardless of how pressing the need to fill a vacancy. Speaking from personal experience, every time—and I mean every time—I hired out of desperation, it ended in disaster.

Finding a quality candidate can’t be rushed, no matter how urgent the need.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 33

AD INDEX Access Tools..............................................79 Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................69 All American Jerr-Dan..................... N,S,M 91 Allstate Roadside.......................................23 American Legacy Firearms.........................24 AT ShowPlace...................................... 82-83 Atlanta Wrecker Sales................................70 B/A Products Co.........................................34 Brock Supply.............................................15 Captain Recovery.......................... N, S, M 95 Chevron Commercial..................................78 Copart Transportation...................................3 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equipment Sales.........73 Custer Products.........................................80 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers..................27 Edgetec..................................................W95 Elizabeth Truck Center...............................80 G. Stone Comercial................................. N93 GM Consultants..........................................72 Guniwheel..................................................71 Hino Trucks.................................. Back Cover Intek Truck & Equipment............................24 Isuzu Commercial Truck of America..............7 ITI..............................................................65

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February 2024

Jerr-Dan............................ Inside Front Cover Khasim Insurance Agency.......................W93 Len Zermenos.......................................... 4-5 Lodar USA..................................................32 Lube-A-Boom............................................76 Lynch Truck Group.....................................31 Matjack.....................................................77 McMahon Truck Ceter.............................M93 Metrocom..................................................15 Mike Keith Insurance..............................M92 MIller Industries.........................................19 Mobile Control Systems..............................76 New England Truckmaster....................... N94 NoCell Technologies...................................74 North American Bancard............................81 Northeast Wrecker Sales......................... N93 OMG Tow Marketing...................................72 Pacific General Insurance........................M94 Peak Wrecker Sales................................W95 Performance Advantage Company..............17 Progressive Commercial Insurance...............9 PWOF................................................... 66-67 Quick Draw Tarpulin Systems.......... N92, S93 RimSling....................................................27

SafeAll.......................................................30 Santander Bank................. Inside Back Cover Sea Crest Insurance................................W94 Select Truck and Equipment....................M94 Sepson US.................................................25 Specialty Vehicle Funding Group.................29 Steck Manufacturing..................................75 Talbert Manufacturing............................. N95 TDI Repair Facility......................................70 Tow Industries........................................W94 TowToolz....................................................78 Towbook Management Software.................63 TowMate....................................................71 TowXpo...............................85, N, S, M, W 96 Tracked Machines/TowTrack.......................30 Trail King Industries...................................32 Traxero......................................................23 USFT..........................................................65 Utility Trailer Sales S.E. TX......................W92 West End Service All Road Trucks..............77 Winches Inc............................................W93 Wrecker Warehouse................................W91 WreckWeek................................................89 Zip’s AW Direct..........................................33

AT EXPO XXXIV GALLERY

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 35

American Towman Exposition proved once again to be the greatest tow show on earth

The 60-piece marching band opened Super Saturday to a record crowd, wowing exhibitors and attendees

The marching band files past the American Towman monument that pays silent tribute to towers’ heroic efforts.

36 • February 2024 | Towman.com

XXXIV saw business activity in the $100,000,000 range from equipment sales to motor club arrangements

Eager Expo attendees packed the aisles to check out all of the vendor’s products and services.

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Andrea Wynn’s inspiring vocals greeted the crowds with America the Beautiful.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 37

New wrecker models captivated the crowds.

If you can’t find something at the American Towman Expo, you probably don’t need it.

38 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Academy seminars and hands-on training earned an all-time high participation among tow business owners and tow operators

AT Academy Seminars helped tow managers stay on top of safety practices and the latest in business strategies.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 39

The Captains of Industry Luncheon included a presentation to 2023 Towman of the Year Ron Meyers, along with a moving speech

by WreckMaster’s Casey Burrows.

WreckMasters presented its Donnie Cruse Awards and top 10 WreckMasters of the year.

40 • February 2024 | Towman.com

30th ACE Awards presented to towing companies for service excellence.

Towman Heroes and Silver Star recipient during Festival Night.

The song, Home of the Brave, filled the registration hall as American Towman honored the towman’s dedication and valor through ceremonies and festivities

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 41

Calitri’s Cuba Cigar Smoker.

Miller Industries sponsored a rockin’ event at the Hard Rock Cafe.

A display of lighted, spinning hoops entertained the crowd at Festival Night.

42 • February 2024 | Towman.com

A hearty breakfast from the omelet stations awaited AT Academy Seminar attendees.

Allstate Roadside sponsored free instructional clinics on the show floor.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 43

Eighty wreckers entered the American Wrecker Pageant inside the Baltimore Convention Center, creating an art gallery on wheels

44 • February 2024 | Towman.com

The legendary silver trophy is proudly hoisted by Wrecker Pageant winner.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 45

TOWMAN HEROICS Recognizing Courage Under Fire And Acts Of Bravery

46 • February 2024 | Towman.com

The American Towman Medal, portraying a grab hook swinging by a star, is awarded to a tower who has put his or her life at risk while trying to save the life of someone else. The words cast on the rim of the nickel-alloy Medal: For The Simple Act of Bravery.

Alexander Dale Jinks

Jinks Motor Carriers Heavy Towing & Recovery, Midlothian, Virginia On October 18, 2018, Alex was heading to his next call, casually listening to the radio, when right before his eyes he watched an enormous cement truck flip over and land on the embankment of a very winding roadway.

Alex described the immediate scene as dream­ like; everything in slow motion and then the only sounds he heard were the cement truck’s running motor and spinning wheels.

Realizing that the driver was still in the truck, Alex immediately jumped into action and raced toward the mangled mixer. With his adrenaline pumping as fast as his legs, he reached the vehicle and saw that the driver, a man he estimated to be near his own size of 6’2”, 250 pounds, was unconscious and bleeding from a head wound.

The driver’s upper body was pinned by both the steering wheel and a crushed

door panel, and his legs were trapped under the flattened dash.

Being familiar with the area, Alex recognized that first responders were going to be at least 5-10 minutes from arriving on scene, but this driver was critically injured and needed life-saving assistance immediately, so Alex couldn’t wait for back up.

With the entire cab compromised in the crash, Alex had to climb through the broken glass of the back cab window, cut the driver free from his seatbelt and then use all of his strength, and then some, to pull the driver free from the wreck.

Once free of the totaled truck, Alex stayed with the driver, who was in and out of consciousness, holding his head and talking to him until fire and EMS arrived to transport him to the hospital.

Travis Reffitt

Reffitt’s Garage, Hamilton, Ohio A long-time supporter of the Ross Township Fire Department, which encompasses two major truck routes, US 27, and State Route 128 in Ross, Ohio, Reffitt’s Towing was called to a particularly precarious scene on an especially cold afternoon on February 7, 2018.

On this long stretch of US 27, a tractortrailer pulling a 53-foot trailer filled with beverages ran off the highway and into a ditch line and stopped just short of plowing into the remnants of a summer corn field.

The force of the crash caused the rig to turnover and subsequently hit a live electrical pole carrying 72,000 volts of electricity.

The pole snapped, with the lower part going through the cab of the tractor, firmly Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

pinning the driver. The other half of the livewired pole remained dangling above the dilapidated trailer. Reffitt’s towing was quick to arrive on scene and Travis Reffitt was instrumental in assisting with winching the pole from the cab and securing the other pole above the trailer.

At risk of being electrocuted, Travis still worked diligently as the 72,000 volts of electricity continued flowing through the lines throughout the process of securing the poles and ultimately, extracting the trapped driver.

According to Fire Chief, Steve Miller, there is no doubt that Travis and the Reffitt’s team saved this driver’s life.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 47

Andrew Lincoln

Harmon’s Towing and Recovery, Minden, Louisiana On October 9, 2022, while on a towing call heading to Haughton, Louisiana on Highway 164, tow operator Andrew Lincoln noticed an unrelated wrecked vehicle just off the side of the road.

Lincoln, an experienced tow truck driver, drove closer to the wreck and realized there were flames coming from the car. He stopped his truck and yelled, “Is someone in the car?” Another man who had also stopped told him that there was in fact someone inside, but that the door was jammed.

Lincoln immediately sprang into action, he said …“The flames were already coming through the seat of the car and it was melted, and the inside of the car was pretty much burning.” Lincoln parked his truck in the middle of the highway, turned on his emergency flashers, and rushed to help the person trapped inside. In the frenzy of the fiery flames, Lincoln didn’t notice that there were already some people trying to lend assistance, but soon realized that they were trying to gain access to the trapped victim

through the smashed driver’s door.

Utilizing his training and skills, Lincoln was able to get the passenger door open and tried diligently to pull the woman out, but she was still stuck. All the while, the flames were getting bigger and at this point, Lincoln said that the smoke was so thick, he could barely see. He was also acutely aware that his pants were beginning to melt in the searing heat. Lincoln then took off his shirt, wrapped it under the woman’s arms, and was finally able to haul her out of the car.

Within minutes of freeing the woman, the car was completely engulfed in flames.

Lincoln doesn’t think he was the only hero there that day and he’s just happy to know that she survived.

The Towman Commendation bronze medal is awarded for Courage Under Fire with a life hanging in the balance.

Daniel Williams

Southwest Towing, Dodge City, Kansas On February 9, 2021, multiple calls were received by 911 in Ford County, Kansas stating that a car was trapped under a semi tractor­ trailer.

Daniel Williams, of Southwest Towing, was called and asked to respond to the crash. Initial arriving units found a small car crushed under a semi-trailer with very limited access to the passenger compartment and it was apparent that people were trapped inside.

Knowing the need for speed in freeing these passengers, Daniel quickly hooked to the semi-trailer and lifted it off the car 48 • February 2024 | Towman.com

without further incident.

Step two of this rescue included winching the car from under the trailer, effectively providing access to the rear compartment of the vehicle.

Upon gaining entry, first responders located a 4-year-old child, still in his car seat, but suffering from a severe head injury.

The driver had multiple injuries as well.

The quick and competent rescue operation performed by Daniel ultimately allowed Fire & EMS to utilize their equipment and successfully remove both victims.

AMERICAN TOWMAN

SILVER STAR

THE JOE DOBLMEIER MEMORIAL AWARD Tommy Ferguson

Ferguson Wrecker Service, Headland, AL In recognition of towmen who overcome adversity, and yet continue to serve this industry, the Silver Star medal is awarded in memory of AT Expo legend, Joe Doblmeier, who encompassed what it means to be a Silver Star. A polio survivor, Joe worked tirelessly, struggling to move about, but always carrying a great big smile. As a partner and floor manager of the American Towman Exposition, Joe was an inspiration to everyone he served.

The Silver Star medal depicts the figure of a man pulling himself up from a cliff’s edge - with the words, For Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring an Industry ... the Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award ... The Silver Star is cast in big caps on the medal’s rim.

Tommy Ferguson is the sole owner of Ferguson Wrecker Service and has been in business for nearly 20 years.

In addition to providing exemplary towing service, he is dedicated to serving his community. Tommy has donated his time and money to MakeA-Wish, Touch-a-Truck, and Autism Rides just to name a few. He is known to regularly cook hams and turkeys for the elderly in the community during Thanksgiving and Christmas, and he never misses an opportunity to donate toys to needy families during the holidays. It is also known that on several occasions, Tommy has rented hotel rooms or vehicles for stranded

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families, and has never requested reimbursement. Like many of you, he’s a good one, through and through.

Being a good person though, doesn’t give you an automatic pass on bad things that can happen in life, as Tommy can attest to.

On June 3, 2022, while working a recovery not far from his workplace in Headland, AL, Tommy experienced a catastrophic mishap when the wire rope from his wrecker snapped, wrapped itself around his 6’ frame, and squeezed. The heavy-duty wire rope, meant for pulling and hauling excessive tonnage, effectively tore Tommy up, severing muscles, nerves, and tendons, ultimately causing massive damage to his body.

First Responders worked quickly to free Tommy.

One arm was nearly severed and bleeding profusely, and EMS personnel had to keep the arm elevated, making it difficult to maneuver him and the stretcher into the helicopter that had touched down. He was flown to the hospital. It was the most dramatic flight of his life. EMS said they lost him, and worked on

him feverishly until he came back to life- twice!

With the tenacity of a grizzly bear, it took just a few days for Tommy to be well enough to leave the hospital, with strict orders to convalesce at home indefinitely. He had what seemed unsurmountable injuries, including a broken neck in two places, bleeding on the brain, a ruptured spleen, a torn shoulder that required nine pins to reconnect, and a knocked-out tooth.

Yet, when his girlfriend picked him up to take him home, he asked her to swing by a job he had just heard come through. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but knew there was no arguing with his unwavering commitment to the industry, and promptly took him to the scene.

Although Tommy is still under a doctor’s care and receiving almost daily physical therapy for his injuries, he goes to work every day and continues on his quest to serve and assist.

For Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring an Industry, American Towman presents the Silver Star - to Tommy Ferguson.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 49

NOVEMBER 16-18, 2023

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER

Exhibitor Roster

*Supplier names in bold are display advertisers in this issue with their ad page number cross-referenced 360 Payments 5Star Specialty Programs AAA Access Tools - pg. 79 Agero All American Jerr-Dan - pg. N,S,M 91 All Roads Trucks Alliance Funding Group Allstate Roadside - pg. 23 American Safety & Supply AmeriDeck Anchor Graphics Apache 2 Way APR Plastic Fabricating ARI-Hetra Ascentium Capital AT&T Business Aussie Rimshine Austin Insurance Auto Data Direct Autogod Axle Spindle Repair Azuga, A Bridgestone Company B/A Products - pg. 34 Bad Dog Tools Battelini Wrecker Sales Bay Street BBSI Beacon Funding Benchmark Payment Big D’s Fabrication

BlueBridge Financial Breg Environmental Brown & Brown Insurance Car-Part.com Century Chevron Chevron Commercial - pg. 78 Coast Pay Collins Dollies ConsumerPay Copart Transportation - pg. 3 Core Holistics Crouch’s Wrecker & Equipment - pg. 73 Curbside SOS Custer Products - pg. 80 Custom Built MFG David Clark DewEze Mfg. Ditch Hitch DOT Tie Down DRIVE Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers - pg. 27 Dynamic Towing Equip. & Mfg. East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales East Penn Truck Equipment Echo 911 EdgeTec - pg. W95 Emergency Responder Safety Institute Energy Security Agency Environmental Chemical Solutions Epulse

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Excel Sportswear FCar Tech USA Federal Signal First Business Bank FleetNet America Fleetway Capital Fullbay Repair Shop Software GEICO Guttman Energy Haas Alert Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel HD Trailers Highway Angels Hino Trucks - Back Cover Holly’s Towing Dispatch Holmes Hunter Engineering Huntington Bank i Buy Remotes IAA Illusions Wraps In The Ditch Towing Products Infinity Massage Chairs Int’l Towing & Rec. Hall of Fame & Mus. Integrated Vehicle Leasing Intek Truck & Equipment - pg. 24 International Recovery Systems International Trucks Isuzu Commercial Truck - pg. 7 J & R Products & Towing Accessories Jerr-Dan - Inside Front Cover

Junk Car Pricer Kalyn Siebert Kapnick Insurance Group Landoll Corporation Lift And Tow Lift Marketing Group Lighthouse Insurance Services Lodar USA - pg. 32 Lokithor Lucky’s Trailer Sales Lynch Truck Group - pg. 31 Madison Capital Magnify Payments Marshall & Sterling Insurance Matheny Towing Equipment Matjack - pg. 77 Maxxeon MD Carrier Wrecker Metro Tow Trucks Metrocom - pg. 15 Miller Industries - pg. 19 Mobile Road Service Solutions Mobile Video Computing Solutions Myers Benner Corp.

Mytee Products Nanjing Miao Run Sen National Automobile Club National Interstate Insurance Company National Recovery USA Nite Beam Products Novawinch USA

NRC Industries NSD +Questx NYO Bolt OMG Tow Marketing - pg. 72 On The Scene Supply OnlineParkingPass.com OnPoint AVL & Navigation Paccar Winch Parkva PayLogix Merchant Services Peak Auto Auctions Peddle Penny Pockets Phoenix USA Pinnacle Trailer Sales PipeBreak USA Pop - A - Lock Power Home Remodeling Pruuvn Purpose Wrecker Sales QuakeLED QuickLoadz R&A Insurance Ramsey Winch Company Ranger SST Razor Wraps RC Industries Recovery Title Solutions Renewal by Anderson Roadside Protect RoadSync Robert Young’s NRC Sales & Service Royal Truck & Equipment RP Recovery RRA Tow Truck Insurance RRL Insurance Safety Vision Santander Bank - pg. Inside Back Cover Sepson US - pg. 25 Smart Tec Specialty Vehicle Funding Group - pg. 29 Spill Tackle Stamp Works Steck Manufacturing - pg. 75 Stephens Truck Center/Bad Ass Tow Products Stertil-Koni, USA StreetGlow T-Mobile for Business Talbert Manufacturing - pg. N95

The Hilb Group TJR Equipment Topdon USA Tow Canada Tow Life Tow Truck Wags Nottingham Insurance Towbook Management Software - pg. 63 TowCom Towing & Recovery Association of America Towing Forward Company Towing.com TowingWebsites.com TowMate - pg. 71 Towtal Advantage TowToolz- pg. 78 Tracked Machines - pg. 30 Trail King Industries - pg. 32 Transit Pros TransUnion Traxero North America - pg. 23 Truck Crane Solutions TruckMax TrxNow Tulsa Winch-dp Winch TW Products Two Way Radio Gear UHS Hardware Ultraband USA Urgently USFT - pg. 65 Verdant Commercial Capital Vulcan Warn Industries Warrior Winches We Buy Key Fobs Wellnex Group Whelen Engineering Co. Will-Burt Worldwide Worldwide Equipment Sales/Parts Wreaths Across America sponsored by INA WreckMaster Xpress-Pay Yaldi Premium Finance Ynot Services Zellner Insurance ZeroFee Commerce Zip’s AW Direct - pg. 33

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2023 SPONSORS Events and Specialty Items

REGISTRATION COUNTER

WELCOME CRUISE SUNDAY PIE

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 51

American Wrecker Pageant

BEST OF SHOW Count y Wide Auto Collision Ma speth, NY

2023 Hino/Century 22’ C ar C arrier

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American Wrecker Pageant Service and Support Class

1

st

2

Minnick ’s Towing & Recovery Winche s ter , VA

2022 Dodge R am 5500/Utilit y Bed

nd

3

rd

Shenandoah Towing Woods tock , VA

2023 Ford E xplorer/Service Truck

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Nelcon Towing North Haven, C T

2016 Pe terbilt/5th Wheel Tr ac tor

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 53

American Wrecker Pageant

1

Vintage Class

st E a s t Coa s t Auto Body

Stamford, C T 197 7 Ford F350/ Ortiz Wrecker Body

2

nd

Battelini Transport Systems L ands ville, NJ 1956 REO/Home Built Wrecker

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3

rd

Fire Museum of Maryl and Timonium, MD 1920 Mack/Tube Cr ane

American Wrecker Pageant Light Duty Wrecker Pre 2023 Class

1

st Horton’s Wrecker Service Mana s s a s, VA 2022 Ford F600/ Jerr-Dan HPL60

2

nd

Bill’s Service of Stamford Stamford, C T 2021 Ford F550/Che vron Wrecker

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3

rd

C . A .R . S Complete Auto Recovery Service s

Mount Up ton, NY 2022 Dodge R am/Che vron Wrecker AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 55

American Wrecker Pageant Light Duty Wrecker 2023-2024 Class

1

st

Paul’s Auto Center Ha zelton, PA 2023 Dodge Ram 5500/ Che vron 408

2

nd

Hawk’s Towing & Recovery Pot ts town, PA 2023 Ford F550/ Reneg ade Wrecker

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3

rd On-Site Towing

Humble, T X 2022 R AM 4500/Jerr-Dan MPL

American Wrecker Pageant Car Carrier Class

1

st

East Coast Auto Body

Stamford, C T 2023 Hino/Century C ar C arrier

2

nd Non-Stop Towing & Recovery

Freeport, NY 2022 Pe terbilt/NRC C ar C arrier Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

3

rd

Chuck ’s Towing & Service Hamilton Township, NJ 2022 Kenworth/ Jerr-Dan C ar C arrier

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 57

American Wrecker Pageant

1

Heavy Duty Wrecker Single Axle Class

st

HJ Towing & Recovery C arlisle, PA 2023 Pe terbilt 567/ Century Wrecker

2

nd

Norton’s Tow Squad Phil adelphia , PA 2020 Kenworth T880

58 • February 2024 | Towman.com

American Wrecker Pageant Heavy Duty Wrecker Tandem Axle Class

1

st

Lil Pete’s Automotive

C armel Hamlet, NY 2023 Pe terbilt/Miller Wrecker

2

nd

3

rd

Bud’s Towing

Bowling Green, VA 2023 Pe terbilt/Century Wrecker

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Non-Stop Towing & Recovery Freeport, NY 2017 Peterbilt/Century 9055

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 59

American Wrecker Pageant Rotator Class

1

st

2

nd

Minnick’s Towing & Recovery Winche s ter , VA 2021 Kenworth/ Century 1150 Rotator

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Wool ard’s Towing Akron, OH 2023 Kenworth W900/ Jerr-Dan Rotator

3

rd BBT & Recovery

Brooklyn, MD 2020 Pe terbilt/Jerr-Dan Rotator

American Wrecker Pageant Best Working Class

Aimes Collision

Freeport, NY 2014 Ford F550/Che vron 408

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 61

See You Next Year At AT EXPO XXXV

November 21-23, 2024

62 • February 2024 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 63

Wrecker Maintenance Other Cold-Weather Considerations

In cold weather, consider using a low-viscosity oil such as T6 10W-30 full synthetic for better lubrication in cold starts.

Thinning Out For Winter Using Low-Viscosity Oils in Cold Weather Courtesy of Shell Rotella

N

ot all oils are created equal.

So, they shouldn’t be viewed as universal commodities suitable for every application.

For instance, in cold winter weather, diesel-powered tow trucks are better off using low-viscosity oil for optimum performance (viscosity refers to how easily oil flows at a specified temperature.)

In contrast, a higher viscosity, 15W-40 engine oil will flow at a slower rate when temperatures drop 64 • February 2024 | Towman.com

significantly and the engine is started, which can slow the lubrication of critical engine components.

On the other hand, low-viscosity oils will flow quicker to critical engine parts in cold temperatures, providing better engine protection.

So, tow operators running diesel engines should switch to lowviscosity oil once the weather turns cold.

One of the most versatile lowviscosity oils is 10W-30, which can

In addition to evaluating your engine oil, make sure you regularly clean the underbody of your tow truck to eliminate road salt that can create rust. Focus on wiring and batteries, and anywhere two different metals are contacting each other, such as aluminum with steel, which is precisely where corrosion is most likely to start. Tow operators should also be alert to any corrosion that is developing, and immediately correct it with a thorough cleaning and by applying a rust neutralizer.

Another challenge is the accumulation of water in fuel water separators during winter. Drain them as needed. Also, make sure your diesel fuel has additives so it doesn’t gel, another common cause of breakdowns of tow trucks.

Water in air lines is a possible trouble spot as well.

Watch out for any kind of moisture that can leak into air lines, which can cause cracks and other issues.

Water can impact everything from brakes to transmission, and potentially disable your tow vehicle.

often be used instead of 15W-40 because it is suitable for a wide range of diesel engine applications. In cold starts, 10W-30’s better flowability minimizes friction and wear on

components such as bearings and piston rings.

In addition, the benefits of using low-viscosity engine oil go beyond merely protecting engine components. When an engine starts easier in cold weather, it places less strain on the battery and starter, which can help extend their service life and reduce the risk of costly breakdowns.

The advantages of low-viscosity engine oils isn’t limited to cold weather operation, though. A lowviscosity oil can enhance fuel economy throughout the year. This increased fuel efficiency can lead to cost savings over time, making them a practical choice for diesel engine owners.

How about in extremely frigid conditions? Ultralow viscosity engine oils like 0W-40 or 5W-40 are recommended. These oils provide exceptional coldweather performance, ensuring the engine starts smoothly even in the harshest winter conditions.

In most cases, a 10W-30, 5W-40 or even a 0W-40 engine oil can be used instead of a 15W-40 engine oil.

Before switching though, check your owner’s manual or consult with a service pro or dealer. These sources can help you select the right oil for your specific engine, and keep your tow truck running and ready for service.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 65

66 • February 2024 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 67

Tow Boss

Media Mongers Don’t Take the Bait From “First Amendment Auditors”

By Randall C. Resch

W

hile you may not be familiar with the term “First Amendment Auditor,” this American social trend has been sweeping the nation for more than a decade. The expression refers to people, an incident, and a phone camera. In layman’s terms, “First Amendment Auditors are individuals who make videos of their encounters with public employees and officials.”

Though usually aimed at the law enforcement community, they may show up at any public facility, including an incident scene involving a tow truck, hoping to create an issue that will get them more views when posted on YouTube or TikTok. The more action that occurs, the more views the video gets, and clicks and views equal revenue, as much as $150K per year.

Not typically associated with any organization, Auditors are usually selfproclaimed activists and often appear at crash and incident scenes waiting to bait unsuspecting tow operators, firefighters, and police officers. Their mission, it would seem, is to agitate them or even initiate a violent interaction.

BAITING THE HOOK Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek. com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.

In their quest to instigate, Auditors tend to be abrasive, using key phrases to “bait” tow personnel into atypical reactions. And, if that reaction is met with violence, there’s high probability a frivolous lawsuit waits in the wings. Auditors come armed with cameras, video recorders and disparaging attitudes; bound to test anyone’s mettle by intentionally attacking their calm and resolve.

This is a featured hot topic in tow industry forums where incidents confirm

68 • February 2024 | Towman.com

the need for industry specific training. Much of the outcome during “First Amendment Audits”, is the manner in which tow company personnel respond to individuals initiating, “The Audit.”

MIND OVER MATTER

Do you have what it takes to ignore an over-bearing Auditor? Do you often let your temper and ego push you into a slugfest with these individuals? It takes a much stronger personality to walk away from a challenge than it does to simply ignore it. It’s always best to avoid overreacting. Keep in mind that many of these auditors are trying to provoke a negative reaction. A video without much traction is unlikely to get posted, ultimately “hitting” the auditor where it hurts most—in their pocket.

As an example of an interaction, a group of Auditors loitered around the open gate of a tow truck facility. As they actively paced the city sidewalks surrounding the company’s office (a public right-of-way), male and female tow company employees initiated verbal contact with these Auditors, as they did not recognize who they were, allegedly advised the “auditors” to leave, and that they were not permitted to take pictures or video of the facility.

Within moments, a heated verbal exchange ensued, which eventually included the tow company’s lead. As tempers flared, the altercation turned into a full-blown fracas as the lead aggressively grabbed toward one of the cameras.

In response, one Auditor whipped out a can of pepper spray and blasted the employee straight in the face. As many as six tow employees joined the melee,

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 69

which was eventually quelled with the arrival of the city’s police.

THE BLAME GAME

This particular incident identifies obvious contributing factors initiated by the tow company’s employees.

Had they ignored the Auditors, this situation likely wouldn’t have gone high-order. Easy identifiable facts are: • “With the facility gate open, it

• provided easy viewing for cameras into the facility.

• An employee engaged Auditors by telling them they had no right to photograph or video the facility.

• Another employee stated, “You didn’t ask my permission to record me. It’s illegal you’re doing this!”

• A lead employee engaged the group telling them, “Go on the

street,” then physically grabbed one video camera and was instantly pepper-sprayed.

• One employee aggressively tossed cups of water towards the Auditors.

• As Auditors spewed racist remarks, female and male employees tossed crushed rocks and mid-size concrete chunks their direction • At fever’s pitch, the fracas spilled onto the street with both groups actively involved • Six tow company employees were active participants Of course, the entire incident was successfully captured in high-quality sound and video, and supplied to responding police officers as evidence.

APPROACH/AVOIDANCE MEASURES All of this likely could have been avoided had the tow company; a)

70 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Auditors are usually

self-proclaimed activists

and often appear at crash and incident scenes waiting to bait

unsuspecting tow operators. recognized the group as First Amendment Auditors, b) closed the facility gate, and c) ignored them.

One would think Auditors were equally guilty of verbal assault, threats, racist comments and inciting a fight, right? Unfortunately, if they’re in a public place, they have a lawful right to be there. You may not like it, but they’re protected under First Amendment Rights. It comes down to which side reacted first with physical violence?

Tow operators confronted by Auditors showing-up at crash scenes and in-the-field incidents must recognize that Auditors are at work to bait towers into heated conversations that will lead to a physical argument.

If Auditors are in a public place, or they’ve made it into the roadway, towers have no authority telling

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 71

them they can’t photograph or video record them.

The best response to any “Audit” is to ignore it and go about your on-scene work. If at any point an auditor’s interference impedes the ability to complete the work, find the closest cops and have them deal with them.

SNUBBING ACTIONS

Rather than joining in, employ these five simple “Rs" to de-escalate and remove yourself from an auditor’s intended altercation: 1. Recognize when you’re being set-up.

2. Remain calm and nonaggressive.

3. Respectfully and immediately disengage them.

4. Report suspicious or illegal activity.

72 • February 2024 | Towman.com

5. Remember that if you see something, say something.

The “Auditor” is not always right though, as businesses and employees can file a cross claim of “cyberstalking” should a video end up on the Internet targeting a company or its employees. And, there may basis to a cross-claim as well when Auditor’s encourage followers to harass a business and its employees.

Once again, the best advice is— don’t be lured into their antics, just ignore them by walking away!

Author’s Note: This narrative is not legal advice and should only be considered as a basis for training. If you’re involved in an unfavorable situation and are accused of a First Amendment Right violation, seek legal counsel immediately.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 73

Supplier Scoop

Century Celebrates 50 Years of Industry Excellence

In 1974, Century Wrecker hit the roads with a mission: redefine the towing and recovery industry. Now, standing on the cusp of 2024, the Century brand celebrates five decades of towing excellence and innovation. From the very beginning, Century has been synonymous with reliability, efficiency, and safety, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs for motorists across the nation.

Over the past 50 years, Century has exemplified an unwavering com-

74 • February 2024 | Towman.com

mitment to service through advancements in technology and a relentless pursuit of industry leadership. The company has consistently raised the bar in the towing and recovery industry, from the first Century 401 hydraulic wrecker, to the birth of the Century 1030, 30-ton heavy-duty wrecker, and now the Century M100, 100-ton rolling rotator, Century has not just manufactured wreckers to tow vehicles—it has helped tow the entire industry into the future.

In marking this momentous year, Miller Industries would like to extend gratitude to its loyal customers and industry partners who have been instrumental in Century’s journey. The 50th-anniversary celebration is not only a reflection of the company’s past achievements, but also a commitment to the future. Century

remains steadfast in its mission to redefine the towing experience for the next 50 years and beyond. So, here’s a toast to a half-century of towing with style, precision, and an unwavering passion for helping the motoring public in need.

Source: millerind.com

Isuzu Shatters Sales Records

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of low-cab-forward trucks, announced today that it established multiple sales records in 2023. In addition to setting new highs in vehicles delivered to dealers, Isuzu dealers sold more Isuzu trucks and parts than in any other year in the 40-year history of the company in the U.S. “We expect that 2024 will see our momentum grow,” stated Shaun C. Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of both America and Canada. “In the next twelve months we will be introducing a thoroughly redesigned cab, sophisticated new driver-assist technology, and our first electric truck, the NRR EV. We feel we are well positioned to make 2024 another record-breaking year for Isuzu.”

Source: isuzucv.com

Ford Super Duty Wins Truck of the Year

The Ford Super Duty has earned the title of North American Truck of the Year, distinguishing itself in the heavy-duty pickup segment. Noted for its powerful towing and payload capabilities, the Super Duty’s engine options include a new 6.8-liter gasoline V8 and a 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8. Besides its robust power choices, the Super Duty was noted for its driving qualities, combining functionality with luxury.

The Super Duty was competing against two General Motors products, the Chevy Colorado and Chevy Silverado EV. To determine the winners of each category, a total of 50 jurors evaluated each of these veWork the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

hicles in every conceivable way. That process began with an annual comparison drive in Michigan at the Detroit Auto Show, after which they completed their individual and collective evaluations and cast votes to determine the three finalists in each category.

“The Ford Super Duty retains its leadership in the heavy-duty pickup truck category with its impressive towing, payload, torque, and horsepower figures,” said NACTOY juror, Jack R. Nerad. “Its four engine choices are highlighted by the new standard 6.8-liter gasoline V8 and 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8. And the big Super Duty is remarkably comfortable and easy to drive.”

Source: ford.com

New Vehicle Prices Remain Steady

Due to multiple supply chain and production-related issues in recent years, new vehicle prices have shot up, while inventory numbers have dropped significantly to record lows.

During 2023, however, this situation improved, as shortages eased and inventory levels rebounded.

For 2024, the automotive research company, Edmunds, is predicting that new vehicle prices will remain steady, and is forecasting that 15.7 million new vehicles will be sold in this year. This figure represents an increase of one percent over its estimate of 15.5 million new vehicle sales in 2023. Additionally, the Edmunds predicts that new vehicle prices will plateau in the coming year, after years of aggressive increases.

This might mean good buying opportunities for those willing to scoop up leftover 2023 models, though it will still be difficult to find more affordable options as vehicles transacting below the $50K mark are selling in just 30 days, on average, compared to vehicles priced above that threshold at 47 days.

Source: edmunds.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 75

Scott Steinhardt Named New President at Stertil-Koni

Stertil-Koni USA Inc., a manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicle lifts, named Scott Steinhardt as its new company president.

Steinhardt, who joined Stertil-Koni as VP of Sales in 2022 and was named General Manager in 2023, brings more than 28 years of industry sales, marketing, and distributor management experience to the company's top slot in North America.

To date, in his two-years with Stertil-Koni, Steinhardt has expanded sales Scott Steinhardt, now president of Stertil-Koni. into new markets, broadened and accelerated customer support streams to elevate service, and championed the use of enhanced technologies. He’s also helped advance product development, and worked closely with the Stertil-Koni exclusive distributor network and company employees to further build partnerships, sales, and company branding.

Source: prweb.com

Dual Compatibility

TowMate’s Wireless LED Bar is now compatible with two different types of batteries, the Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt MAX20V. These are two of the most popular units on the market, allowing users greater flexibility, along with prolonged usage, reduced downtime, and increased efficiency in the field. TowMate’s TM36MDW 36inch light bar includes stop, tail, turn signals, side marker lights, and central DOT lights, for maximum visibility in all working conditions.

Source: TowMate.com

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76 • February 2024 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 77

Agero Awarded for its Roadside Assistance

Agero recently received the 2023 North American Company of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan, an American business consulting and market-research firm.

Frost recently assessed the digitalized roadside assistance services industry and based on its findings, recognized Agero for its quality service. This company is a provider of white-label roadside assistance and accident management software and services, helping client brands increase affinity and loyalty in the moments that matter most to their customers. Primarily operating as a business-to-business company, Agero creates a seamless experience for customers and service providers by utilizing cutting-edge technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to dispatch help quickly and efficiently when and where needed. Moreover, the company's commitment to safety and reliability has earned it a reputation for excellence and its dedication to customer satisfaction sets it apart as a leader in the field.

Agero's vision centers on developing and implementing advanced technology solutions in the automotive and insurance landscape with the stated purpose of increasing driver safety and helping businesses strengthen relations with their customers and policyholders. Agero's software solutions are built to address the specific needs of each stakeholder involved in the driver assistance

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78 • February 2024 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 79

service event: the consumer, the agent, the service provider, and the client, providing transparency to each throughout the entire job.

Silvana Rulet, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, observed that, “Agero serves clients across various industry verticals, including automakers, insurance companies, dealerships, fleets, and repair facilities. The company helps over 115 million drivers annually and works alongside a diverse national network of service providers. Moreover, it provides exceptional 24/7 roadside assistance customer service.”

Agero offers the most comprehensive portfolio in the market, which includes innovative solutions including the AI-powered digital dispatch platform Swoop, and comprehensive accident management services. The platform utilizes AI and ML algorithms to efficiently connect stranded drivers with nearby providers based on location, service needed, and availability.

Source: frost.com agero.com

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 83

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 85

My Baby

Capital Investment A Cop Turns a Sideline Into a Successful Towing Business

By Steve Temple

T

hat famous line about life being like a box of chocolates surely applies to Brandon Harris of Capital Towing & Recovery, in Columbus, Ohio. Initially, Brandon served as a Columbus police officer, but back in 2007, one of his training officers introduced him to a venture capitalist looking for somebody to take over an ailing, one-truck operation. Brandon reached into the figurative box and found a tasty treat.

“As a 21-year old,” Brandon related, “one of the biggest regrets of my life would be if I hadn’t become a towman.” He took on this new endeavor while still working part-time for the local police department. In response to an increasing demand for his tow services, he whittled down his police work, and eventually retired from it altogether in 2012. Following its modest beginning, his 86 • February 2024 | Towman.com

company has grown to a fleet of ten Miller heavies, ten Landoll trailers, assorted hazmat equipment, and a staff of more than 45 employees.

One of his latest wreckers is a 2018 Kenworth T-880 Century 1150, customized with a Knee Boom Wheel lift five winches, a Raptor joystick, and load sensor.

The look of this truck vividly displays Brandon’s focused approach to the tow business.

The wrecker’s graphics are from Brian McGuire of Wrap Illusions, which are carefully crafted to fit with the company image.

“I wanted to break the mold of what a typical tow truck looks like,” Brandon noted, pointing to the clean, corporate, and professional presentation.

“But it’s also visually appealing,” he added. “I’m all about brand identity. I

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One unusual job required lifting a Komatsu excavator off its tow tracks in order to lighten it prior to transport.

TECHNICAL SPECS Vehicle: 2018 Kenworth T-880 Engine: Cummins ISX15 605 hp, 2050 lb/ft torque Wrecker body: Century 1150 Custom features: Knee Boom Wheel Lift, five winches, Raptor Controls Graphics: Illusions Wraps, Fredericksburg, VA Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 87

“One of the biggest regrets of my life would be if I hadn’t

become a towman.”

Uprighting rolled trailers for transport are more typical uses of Capital’s rotator, rather than tow jobs.

Recovering this jackknifed semi is an example of how winter weather creates a lot of work for Capital. “Ice and snow is good for business,” Brandon notes.

Capital’s rotator dwarfed this broken-down school bus that required a tow.

This tractor trailer needed a lift after it was scorched by its burning brakes.

88 • February 2024 | Towman.com

want the entire fleet to look similar in neon green to promote the company. We’re into tow trucks, not show trucks.”

This professionalism extends to his tow operators as well, as he makes sure they wear clean, pressed uniforms, as instilled in him during his tenure as a police officer.

“It’s a badge of honor,” he observed.

Brandon doesn’t regret his time as a police officer, as he believes it helped him succeed in the tow business, through emphasizing policies and procedures, and instituting training as well.

“I take that very seriously,” he stated. “It made us safer. And it earns respect.”

Not surprisingly, Brandon’s company works with about 21 different police departments within a 30-mile radius of Columbus, as many of them value his experience in law enforcement, further enabling them to work well with his firm.

“It definitely helps with the reputation of the company,” Brandon admits.

Getting back to this Century 1150 Rotator, while he views it as a valuable addition to his fleet, he’s particular about how he uses it, preferring to employ it more for pulling and winching to upright tractor trailers and move heavy equipment, rather than for towing jobs. Brandon points out that this wrecker was such an enormous capital investment (no pun intended), and he wants to prolong its service life as long as possible.

In addition, Brandon brings out his prized rotator for various community outreach projects such as, “Touch-a-Truck” events where youngsters enjoy some firsthand experience with wreckers, along with fire and police vehicles. In addition to raising money for a local children’s hospital, he’s also is a board member for a donation program that acquires containers for storing foodstuffs. Which likely includes some boxes of chocolates too!

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • 89

Lowdown

Sound Rate Practices

By Steve Calitri

J

Steve Calitri Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com

ohn Borowski’s convincing remarks on inclement-weather surcharging (see 60 Seconds video segment on TowIndustryWeek.com) brings up a broader question: What should you be charging in addition to the hookup and mileage? Charges that could justifiably be a line item on the bill.

Is there a time-element surcharge?

For example, most calls could be broken down to the following: a) immediate response, b) first available wrecker and, c) scheduled dispatch. An immediate response might warrant a surcharge, while a scheduled dispatch for a no-rush situation might be discounted.

Every tow boss may have a different take on this approach. It is certainly worth considering.

Should there be a surcharge when the tow is performed on dangerous roads, such as freeways, or blind bends, or a breakdown in a center lane of a county road? Are there other situations that pose greater risk than normal to the tow operator?

What if a vehicle is disabled on a steep incline where a mishap is more likely to happen, where it could roll over the tow operator? An “Extreme Risk” surcharge could cover several situations listed in the footnotes on a bill.

Cleanups involving broken glass or spilled transmission fluid or engine oil should be surcharged significantly

90 • February 2024 | Towman.com

a s well.

M a n y t o w business o w n e r s over the past ten years or so have equipped vans to be able to handle all kinds of cleanup, sometimes setting up another company specifically for hazmat situations; either way, effectively creating another revenue stream. Cleanup surcharges under $1000 may be acceptable as damage charges that would not be scrutinized by insurance companies.

Some tow business owners take all of this into consideration and calculate rates to broadly cover it all. So, even if you do not believe in surcharging, or an a la carte line item for a bill of the nature written above, thinking through all that is involved beyond the hookup and mileage should guide the tow boss to a more sound rate card for the business.

Should you find these comments helpful or not, email me your thoughts. I’d like to hear from you: scalitri@towman.com

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News Flash

Troy's Towing is one of six tow companies filing a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department.

Detroit Tow Companies File Lawsuit Over Municipal Tow Operation

Six tow companies contracted with the city of Detroit have filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department (DPD) for starting up a fraudulent municipal towing business in 2018, thereby breaching their contract with the towing firms.

Just 10 days before a new state law would bar local units of state government from operating a tow

business or storage facility, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners pushed through a vote on starting a municipal tow business.

The plaintiff’s lawyer James Austin said, “They were grandfathered in if they already had one in place, so 10 days before the September 30 effective date of the new law, the City of Detroit threw together a very ragtag bunch of tow trucks and said, ‘hey, we’ve got a towing operation.’”

The complaint contends that there was no forum for public input prior to the start-up, nor were the new drivers properly trained. The lawsuit further contends that the tow companies have not gotten their fair share of work.

“Based on the numbers that my clients are doing now, we feel that the DPD is doing far more than 25%,” Austin noted. “And we feel that it’s a breach of contract that they’re doing more than the 25%.”

The six plaintiffs in the case are

North 92 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Troy’s Towing, Inc., H&B Land, Inc., Wayne’s Service, Inc., 7 D’s Towing and Storage, Inc., ABA Impound, Inc. and Bobby’s TCB Towing Service Inc. Source: wdet.org

Tow Trucks Light up the Night for Kids

In a yearly event held at a Children's Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, towers brightened the spirits of kids who were spending the holiday in

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More than tow trucks lit up the night at a children’s hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

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AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • North 93

the hospital.

More than 200 tow trucks with festive lights adorned the parking lot as kids peered from their windows and others came out front to partake in the festivity that included costumes with Santa.

The event was established six years ago. One of the towers, the event’s organizer, said the night holds a special place in her heart, recalling how her three boys were staying in a children's hospital one Christmas season.

"I remember how lonely it was,” she related. “And cold. You felt forgotten. So, we light up the night for these kids."

Source: fox2detroit.com

Two Towmen Downed

Two towmen were killed within a week, just before the end of 2023. A San Diego towman was struck and killed on New Year's Eve. He was identified as 62-year-old tow truck operator Dale Alan Pumphrey, who

More than 50 tow trucks participated in a solemn procession for Dale Pumphrey.

was on the shoulder loading a vehicle onto his flatbed. According to the CHP, he was hit by a Prius that veered out of its lane.

Karl Fields, the General Manager of USA Towing, the company Pumphrey worked for, said, "He took it seriously — going every day, working hard and saving people off the freeway, rescuing them when they're in a moment of distress.”

A procession of 50-plus tow trucks took place in San Diego County to honor Pumphrey.

“Everyone is here showing our respect, doing a last ride for our friend,” said Yousif, a AAA tow truck driver, and Pumphrey’s friend. “It’s one of the most dangerous jobs in

North 94 • February 2024 | Towman.com

the United States.”

In addition, 39-year-old Eric Albertson of Ridgeland, SC, was recovering a disabled vehicle when he was hit by a driver who fled the scene.

Authorities are looking for a dark appearing Chevy Trailblazer, likely with damage to the right front.

“He was just a wonderful salt-ofthe-earth guy. Absolutely one of the best,” said A1 Towing owner Bobby Davids of Albertson. “He was a wonderful person, he was a great employee, he did his job exceptionally well, he was very knowledgeable about what he did, and he was also a good friend.”

Source: nbcsandiego.com, wtoc. com and towforce.net

Cat’s Meow for Tow Truck Operator

Stray cats in some neighborhoods are a chronic problem, but one tower is focused on doing her share to get the them spayed or neutered. When not towing for Lakeland Towing in

Polk County, Florida, Ashley Barnett frequents car lots and junk yards, where she sees lots of stray cats. She has rescued more than a hundred cats.

“Anything that you do for a cat or an animal, they seem to appreciate it,” Barnett said. “It’s like they know when they have been rescued.”

A familiar face at the vet’s office, she picks them up and gets them spayed or neutered. Not the easiest endeavor, she coaxes them over with some cheese.

“Sometimes you sit out here for two or three hours,” she shared.

Source: baynews9.com

Ashley Barnett rescues a cat and brings it to a vet for spaying.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • North 95

North 96 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Episode 34

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • South 91

News Flash

Troy's Towing is one of six tow companies filing a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department.

Detroit Tow Companies File Lawsuit Over Municipal Tow Operation

Six tow companies contracted with the city of Detroit have filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department (DPD) for starting up a fraudulent municipal towing business in 2018, thereby breaching their contract with the towing firms.

Just 10 days before a new state law would bar local units of state government from operating a tow business or storage facility, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners pushed through a vote on starting a municipal tow business.

The plaintiff’s lawyer James Austin said, “They were grandfathered in if they already had one in place, so 10 days before the September 30 effective date of the new law, the City of Detroit threw together a very ragtag bunch of tow trucks and said, ‘hey, we’ve got a towing operation.’”

The complaint contends that there was no forum for public input prior to the start-up, nor were the new drivers properly trained.

The lawsuit further contends that the tow companies have not gotten their fair share of work.

“Based on the numbers that my clients are doing now, we feel that the DPD is doing far more than

25%,” Austin noted. “And we feel that it’s a breach of contract that they’re doing more than the 25%.”

The six plaintiffs in the case are Troy’s Towing, Inc., H&B Land, Inc., Wayne’s Service, Inc., 7 D’s Towing and Storage, Inc., ABA Impound, Inc. and Bobby’s TCB Towing Service Inc. Source: wdet.org

Tow Trucks Light up the Night for Kids

In a yearly event held at a Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan,

towers brightened the spirits of kids who were spending the holiday in the hospital.

More than 200 tow trucks with festive lights adorned the parking lot as kids peered from their windows and others came out front to partake in the festivity that included costumes with Santa.

The event was established six years ago. One of the towers, the event’s organizer, said the night holds a special place in her heart, recalling how her three boys were staying in a children’s hospital one Christmas season.

“I remember how lonely it was,” she related. “And cold. You felt forgotten. So, we light up the night for these kids.”

Source: fox2detroit.com

Two Towmen Downed

Two towmen were killed within a week, just before the end of 2023. A San Diego towman was struck and killed on New Year’s Eve. He was identified as 62-year-old tow truck operator Dale Alan Pumphrey, who was on the shoulder loading a vehicle onto his flatbed. According to the CHP, he was hit by a Prius that veered out of its lane.

Karl Fields, the General Man-

More than tow trucks lit up the night at a children’s hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

South 92 • February 2024 | Towman.com

driver, and Pumphrey’s friend.

“It’s one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States.”

In addition, 39-year-old Eric Albertson of Ridgeland, SC, was recovering a disabled vehicle when he was hit More than 50 tow trucks participated in a solemn procession for by a driver who Dale Pumphrey. fled the scene.

Authorities are ager of USA Towing, the company looking for a dark appearing Chevy Pumphrey worked for, said, “He took it seriously — going every day, Trailblazer, likely with damage to the working hard and saving people off right front.

“He was just a wonderful salt-ofthe freeway, rescuing them when the-earth guy. Absolutely one of the they’re in a moment of distress.” best,” said A1 Towing owner BobA procession of 50-plus tow by Davids of Albertson. “He was a trucks took place in San Diego wonderful person, he was a great County to honor Pumphrey. employee, he did his job exception“Everyone is here showing our ally well, he was very knowledgerespect, doing a last ride for our able about what he did, and he was friend,” said Yousif, a AAA tow truck

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

also a good friend.”

Source: nbcsandiego.com, wtoc.com and towforce.net

Colorado Tow Company Settles Lawsuit for $1 million

Cited for numerous violations, Wyatts Towing, despite denying allegations, has agreed on a $1 million settlement with Colorado’s Attorney General, Phil Weiser. An investigation revealed that the company towed thousands of vehicles without a valid permit or proper authorization, charged unlawful fees, illegally kept consumer funds, and engaged in deceptive and unfair business practices.

A new Colorado tow bill, dubbed the Towing Bill of Rights, was implemented in 2022, and requires tow truck companies to give a 24-hour notice before towing a car from the parking lot of an apartment, condo, or mobile home park.

◀

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • South 93

Wyatt's Towing has agreed to pay $1 million for allegedly engaging in unfair business practices.

The AG’s office said that Wyatts continued to violate the new tow law and, “instituted practices to keep more funds from vehicle sales and reduce the amount returned to vehicle owners or the State, such as driving up storage fees on more valuable vehicles.”

The Towing Bill of Rights also allows customers to, “retrieve their vehicle if they pay 15% of the towing fees, up to a maximum of $60.

The unpaid portion is a debt owed to the towing carrier and the consumer must sign a PUC (Public Utilities Commission) form affirming that they owe the payment.” The AG’s office said that in order to deter customers from exercising this right, company employees were instructed to tell vehicle owners the PUC form was available on the internet and the company did not provide the form.

State law also requires towing carriers to renew their permits annually, but between 2020 and 2023, Wyatts and affiliated companies towed vehicles when they had no valid permits.

Wyatt’s committed to the following: -Refund all fees and costs charged to consumers for future tows that are done in error, and collect information from all individuals paying to release a towed vehicle for the purposes of refunds if ever deemed necessary -Not charge a notification fee until all statutory requirements have been met -Not impose additional obligations on consumers to retrieve their vehicle other than submitting the PUC form, providing consumers with the PUC form, and not charging more than the permitted statutory interest when collecting remaining amount

-Establish and implement policies requiring clear documentation for every vehicle sold or auctioned for overage payment purposes -Conduct audits at least three times a year to monitor erroneous towing trends Source: www.cbsnews.com

Cat’s Meow for Tow Truck Operator

Stray cats in some neighborhoods are a chronic problem, but one tower is focused on doing her share to get the them spayed or neutered. When not towing for Lakeland Towing in Polk County, Florida, Ashley Barnett frequents car lots and junk yards, where she sees lots of stray cats. She has rescued more than a hundred cats.

“Anything that you do for a cat or an animal, they seem to appreciate it,” Barnett said. “It’s like they know when they have been rescued.”

A familiar face at the vet’s office, she picks them up and gets them spayed or neutered. Not the easiest endeavor, she coaxes them over with some cheese.

“Sometimes you sit out here for two or three hours,” she shared.

Source: baynews9.com

Five Deaths a Day Reported on Georgia’s Roadways

Data shows a rising trend in Georgia's accident fatalities, averaging five per day.

number of traffic fatalities in the state over the past decade.

A major factor was distracted driving. About 45% of the motor vehicle crashes had a confirmed or suspected distracted driver.

Some of the more eye-opening findings from an analysis of GDOT data from 2022 motor vehicle fatalities include: -Speed played a role in 16% of the vehicle fatalities.

-Aggressive driving was a factor in one of every five fatalities.

-About 18% of all traffic crash fatalities in Georgia are related to suspected impaired driving.

-More than half (62%) of those who died in 2022 were either not wearing a seatbelt or the officer on the scene could not determine if they were.

-Among those who died, 17% or 339 were pedestrians.

Source: ajc.com

Guardian Fleet Services Acquires Roberts Heavy Duty Towing

Fatality data from 2022 shows that 1,982 people died on GeorGuardian Fleet Services, a progia roads, according to GDOT, vider of towing, recovery, and spean average of about five a day. cialized transportation services with Although this figure represents a 30+ locations in Florida, Georgia, decrease from 2,020 fatalities in 2021, the number of people dying in vehicle accidents has been rising—even during the pandemic when fewer people were on the roads. The total number of deaths in 2021 marked a 16% increase over the previous year and represented the largest Ashley Barnett rescues a cat and brings it to a vet for spaying.

South 94 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Kentucky, and Texas, acquired Roberts Heavy Duty Towing Inc., a towing and recovery service based in Lexington, Kentucky. This is Guardian’s first location in Kentucky, and

showcases the company’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and extending its geographic footprint.

Founded in 1999 by Lee Roberts,

Roberts Heavy Duty Towing Inc. has evolved from a modest one-truck operation into a robust enterprise with 66 trucks and 75 employees.

Lee will remain involved with the business, and become its director.

The acquisition of Roberts Heavy Duty Towing Inc. brings together two industry leaders, combining their expertise to deliver towing, recovery, and fleet management solutions to clients in the state of Kentucky.

“We are honored to continue the legacy of Lee Roberts and welcome Roberts Heavy Duty Towing Inc. into the Guardian Fleet Services family,” stated Scott Crockett, President at Guardian Fleet Services.

“Lee’s commitment to safety, training, and customer service perfectly aligns with our values, and we look forward to building upon the strong foundation he has laid.”

Guardian Fleet Services expands its business into Kentucky.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • South 95

South 96 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Episode 34

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • Midwest 91

News Flash

Troy's Towing is one of six tow companies filing a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department.

Detroit Tow Companies File Lawsuit Over Municipal Tow Operation

Six tow companies contracted with the city of Detroit have filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department (DPD) for starting up a fraudulent municipal towing business in 2018, thereby breaching their contract with the towing firms.

Just 10 days before a new state law would bar local units of state government from operating a tow

business or storage facility, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners pushed through a vote on starting a municipal tow business.

The plaintiff’s lawyer James Austin said, “They were grandfathered in if they already had one in place, so 10 days before the September 30 effective date of the new law, the City of Detroit threw together a very ragtag bunch of tow trucks and said, ‘hey, we’ve got a towing operation.’”

The complaint contends that there was no forum for public input prior to the start-up, nor were the new drivers properly trained.

The lawsuit further contends that the tow companies have not gotten their fair share of work.

“Based on the numbers that my clients are doing now, we feel that the DPD is doing far more than 25%,” Austin noted. “And we feel that it’s a breach of contract that they’re doing more than the 25%.”

Midwest 92 • February 2024 | Towman.com

The six plaintiffs in the case are Troy’s Towing, Inc., H&B Land, Inc., Wayne’s Service, Inc., 7 D’s Towing and Storage, Inc., ABA Impound, Inc. and Bobby’s TCB Towing Service Inc. Source: wdet.org

Tow Trucks Light up the Night for Kids

In a yearly event held at a Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Mich-

◀

More than tow trucks lit up the night at a children’s hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • Midwest 93

igan, towers brightened the spirits of kids who were spending the holiday in the hospital.

More than 200 tow trucks with festive lights adorned the parking lot as kids peered from their windows and others came out front to partake in the festivity that included costumes with Santa.

The event was established six years ago. One of the towers, the event’s organizer, said the night holds a special place in her heart, recalling how her three boys were staying in a children’s hospital one Christmas season.

“I remember how lonely it was,” she related. “And cold. You felt forgotten.

So, we light up the night for these kids.”

Source: fox2detroit.com

Two Towmen Downed

Two towmen were killed within a week, just before the end of 2023. A San Diego towman was struck and killed on New Year’s Eve. He was identified as 62-year-old tow truck operator Dale Alan Pumphrey, who was on the shoulder loading a vehicle onto his flatbed. According to the CHP, he was hit by a Prius that veered out of its lane.

Karl Fields, the General Manager of USA Towing, the company Pumphrey worked for, said, “He took it seriously — going every day, working hard and saving people off the freeway, rescuing them when they’re in a moment of distress.”

A procession of 50-plus tow trucks took place in San Diego County to honor Pumphrey.

“Everyone is here showing our respect, doing a last ride for our friend,” said Yousif, a AAA tow truck driver, and Pumphrey’s friend. “It’s one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States.”

In addition, 39-year-old Eric Albertson of Ridgeland, SC, was recovering a disabled vehicle when he was hit by a driver who fled the scene. Authorities are looking for a dark appearing Chevy Trailblazer, likely with damage to the right front.

“He was just a wonderful salt-ofMidwest 94 • February 2024 | Towman.com

the-earth guy. Absolutely one of the best,” said A1 Towing owner Bobby Davids of Albertson. “He was a wonderful person, he was a great employee, he did his job exceptionally well, he was very knowledgeable about what he did, and he was also a good friend.”

Source: nbcsandiego.com, wtoc.com and towforce.net

Cat’s Meow for Tow Truck Operator

Stray cats in some neighborhoods are a chronic problem, but one tower is focused on doing her share to get the them spayed or neutered. When not towing for Lakeland Towing in Polk County, Florida, Ashley Barnett frequents car lots and junk yards, where she sees lots of stray cats. She has rescued more than a hundred cats.

“Anything that you do for a cat or an animal, they seem to appreciate it,” Barnett said. “It’s like they know

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

when they have been rescued.”

A familiar face at the vet’s office, she picks them up and gets them spayed or neutered. Not the easiest endeavor, she coaxes them over with some cheese.

“Sometimes you sit out here for two or three hours,” she shared.

Source: baynews9.com

Five Deaths a Day Reported on Georgia’s Roadways

Fatality data from 2022 shows that 1,982 people died on Georgia roads, according to GDOT, an average of about five a day. Although this figure represents a decrease from 2,020 fatalities in 2021, the number of people dying in vehicle accidents has been rising—even during the pandemic when fewer people were on the roads. The total number of deaths in 2021 marked a 16% increase over the previous year

and represented the largest number of traffic fatalities in the state over the past decade.

A major factor was distracted driving. About 45% of the motor vehicle crashes had a confirmed or suspected distracted driver.

Some of the more eye-opening findings from an analysis of GDOT data from 2022 motor vehicle fatalities include: -Speed played a role in 16% of the vehicle fatalities.

-Aggressive driving was a factor in one of every five fatalities.

-About 18% of all traffic crash fatalities in Georgia are related to suspected impaired driving.

-More than half (62%) of those who died in 2022 were either not wearing a seatbelt or the officer on the scene could not determine if they were.

-Among those who died, 17% or 339 were pedestrians.

Source: ajc.com

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • Midwest 95

Midwest 96 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Episode 34

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • West 91

News Flash

Troy's Towing is one of six tow companies filing a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department.

Detroit Tow Companies File Lawsuit Over Municipal Tow Operation

Six tow companies contracted with the city of Detroit have filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department (DPD) for starting up a fraudulent municipal towing business in 2018, thereby breaching their contract with the towing firms.

Just 10 days before a new state law would bar local units of state government from operating a tow

business or storage facility, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners pushed through a vote on starting a municipal tow business.

The plaintiff’s lawyer James Austin said, “They were grandfathered in if they already had one in place, so 10 days before the September 30 effective date of the new law, the City of Detroit threw together a very ragtag bunch of tow trucks and said, ‘hey, we’ve got a towing operation.’”

The complaint contends that there was no forum for public input prior to the start-up, nor were the new drivers properly trained. The lawsuit further contends that the tow companies have not gotten their fair share of work.

“Based on the numbers that my clients are doing now, we feel that the DPD is doing far more than 25%,” Austin noted. “And we feel that it’s a breach of contract that they’re doing more than the 25%.”

The six plaintiffs in the case are

West 92 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Troy’s Towing, Inc., H&B Land, Inc., Wayne’s Service, Inc., 7 D’s Towing and Storage, Inc., ABA Impound, Inc. and Bobby’s TCB Towing Service Inc. Source: wdet.org

Tow Trucks Light up the Night for Kids

In a yearly event held at a Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, towers brightened the spirits of kids who were spending the holiday in

◀

More than tow trucks lit up the night at a children’s hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • West 93

the hospital.

More than 200 tow trucks with festive lights adorned the parking lot as kids peered from their windows and others came out front to partake in the festivity that included costumes with Santa.

The event was established six years ago. One of the towers, the event’s organizer, said the night holds a special place in her heart, recalling how her three boys were staying in a children’s hospital one Christmas season.

“I remember how lonely it was,” she related. “And cold. You felt forgotten. So, we light up the night for these kids.”

Source: fox2detroit.com

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

West 94 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2024 • West 95

West 96 • February 2024 | Towman.com

Episode 34

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990