Tow truck drivers are an important part of the emergency services, helping to get cars off the road in dangerous or difficult-to-reach places. However, their job comes with some risks. Every year, a number of tow truck drivers die due to accidents while on the job.
In 2019, the most recent year for which statistics are available, there were 63 tow truck driver fatalities in the United States. This number includes not just those who died while working directly with a tow truck, but also those who were killed in crashes while driving a vehicle to or from a tow truck job site. Of these 63 fatalities, 59 were men and 4 were women.
The majority of tow truck driver fatalities occurred in collisions with other vehicles (37 deaths), followed by rollovers (15 deaths) and single vehicle incidents (7 deaths). The remaining 4 involved workers being struck by other vehicles or objects. Most of these incidents occurred on highways and interstates (31 deaths), followed by local roads (18 deaths) and parking lots/garages (8 deaths).
These numbers highlight an alarming trend. Tow truck drivers are exposed to numerous risks on the job every day, including traffic hazards and inclement weather conditions. Additionally, they often work in stressful situations and must make split-second decisions that could have serious consequences if they are wrong. As such, it is important that tow truck drivers take steps to ensure their safety while on the job.
To protect themselves from injury or death while on duty, tow truck drivers should follow proper safety protocols when operating their vehicles. This includes wearing seatbelts at all times and using caution when entering traffic lanes or maneuvering around other vehicles. They should also wear reflective clothing when working at night or in low-light conditions.
In addition to taking safety precautions, it is important that tow truck drivers receive proper training for the job. This includes learning how to properly operate their vehicle as well as understanding local laws and regulations related to their work.
Ultimately, reducing fatalities among tow truck drivers requires a collective effort from both employers and employees.
Employers should invest in safety equipment such as cameras that can be used to monitor driver behavior while they are on duty. They should also provide ongoing training opportunities for their employees so they can stay up-to-date with current regulations and best practices related to safe driving habits.
Tow truck drivers can help reduce fatalities by following all applicable safety protocols when operating their vehicles and seeking additional training opportunities whenever possible.
Conclusion:
Overall, preventing fatalities among tow truck drivers requires a collective effort from both employers and employees. Employers must invest in safety equipment such as cameras that can be used to monitor driver behavior while they are on duty – as well as provide ongoing training opportunities for their employees – so that they can stay up-to-date with current regulations and best practices related to safe driving habits; meanwhile tow truck drivers must follow applicable safety protocols when operating their vehicles and seek additional training opportunities whenever possible. In 2019 alone there were 63 recorded fatalities involving tow truck drivers – highlighting an alarming trend – but with collective efforts more lives could be saved every year moving forward.
