How Often Is a Tow Truck Driver Killed in America?

Tow truck drivers are an essential part of the American infrastructure, providing services to help people whose vehicles have broken down or been involved in accidents. However, they face a serious risk while doing their work: they are among the most dangerous jobs in the United States.

According to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), tow truck driver fatalities have increased drastically in recent years, with an average of 146 deaths per year between 2003 and 2018. This is a staggering figure that puts tow truck drivers at a greater risk than many other occupations. The BLS data also found that most of these fatalities were caused by motor vehicle accidents or incidents involving contact with objects and equipment.

Tow truck drivers face a variety of dangerous situations on the job, from working late nights in isolated areas to having to deal with unruly motorists who may be upset about their towed vehicle. In addition, their vehicles are often large and heavy, which makes them more susceptible to rollovers, which can cause serious injuries or death.

In order to help protect tow truck drivers from potential dangers, many states have passed legislation requiring drivers to wear reflective clothing, use flashing lights and install additional safety equipment on their vehicles. Additionally, some states have implemented regulations requiring tow trucks to be equipped with GPS tracking systems so that their locations can be easily monitored.

Despite these efforts, tow truck driver fatalities remain an issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure the safety of these workers. There is still much work to be done in order to reduce the number of fatalities associated with this occupation and create a safer environment for all those involved.

Conclusion:

It is clear that tow truck drivers are at an increased risk of being killed while on the job due to the hazardous nature of their work. With 146 deaths per year between 2003 and 2018, this is one of the most dangerous occupations in America and more needs to be done in order to help protect these essential workers from potential harm.

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Stephen Dunn