Kristina Insley, our Assistant VP and rep from our parent company InsuranceHub, attended the fourth annual Slow Down Move Over Rally held in Alabama on December 6, 2020. InsuranceHub sponsored this event along with five other companies in the transportation industry. The purpose of the rally was to raise awareness of the dangers tow truck drivers face daily and the laws in place to protect them.
Currently, all 50 states have laws requiring motorists to slow down and provide tow truck operators and other emergency personnel with at least one lane of clearance to do their jobs. According to a recent study by the National Safety Commission, nearly three-quarters of Americans remain unaware of this.
The Fourth Annual Slow Down Move Over Rally Was a Huge Success
More than 500 people with 200 tow trucks attended the Alabama rally hosted by Classic Towing. The owner of Classic Towing, Wes Passmore, knows firsthand the experience of losing a tow truck driver due to the carelessness of another motorist. Four years ago, John Hubbard died while assisting emergency personnel on the side of the road after a motorist failed to slow down or move over.
Since the death of Hubbard, Passmore has become passionate about spreading the word about Slow Down Move Over laws and organized the first rally almost immediately. The governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, also supports the cause by declaring December the month to honor tow truck and emergency responders injured and killed in the line of duty. Ivey’s proclamation brought much-needed attention to Slow Down Move Over laws as well.
Sadly, John Hubbard’s Death is Not Unique
The International Towing Museum, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, reports that a new tow truck driver fatality takes place once every six days. This rate is much higher than it is for other first responders with an average of one fatality every 30 days. Altogether, approximately 200 roadside workers die due to careless drivers every year. This includes utility workers and highway maintenance crews in addition to police, fire, and ambulance crews.
How You Can Help Prevent Future Tragedies
While it is up to the driving public to know and follow Slow Down Move Over laws, you can do your part by educating people every chance you get. Let them know that every state requires drivers to slow down when they see flashing lights on the side of a tow truck or emergency vehicle and to move over at least one lane.
If changing lanes is not possible, inform people they must slow down to at least 20 miles per hour. Be sure to put your emergency flashers on every time you assist a stranded motorist and do whatever else you can to draw attention to your tow truck.
Contact Us for a Free Towing Business Insurance Quote
Sometimes accidents are not always the fault of the other driver, which means you need a good tow truck insurance policy to cover your expenses. You may also do business in a no-fault state. Tow Truck Insurance Rates contracts with dozens of insurance providers to find you the best coverage and rates available. Please click here to request a free towing business insurance quote or contact us at 770-203-0138.
Sources:
Tow Professional Volume 9 Issue 9 (spiweb.com)
Did You Know the Move Over Law Includes Tow Trucks? (aaa.com)
Move Over, America – National Traffic Safety and Education (nationalsafetycommission.com)
