Tow truck drivers are an integral part of the safe and efficient movement of vehicles on roads and highways. They are the ones who safely transport cars from one destination to another when they break down or have been involved in an accident. Unfortunately, tow truck drivers face a number of risks and dangers while on the job that can lead to serious injury or death.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), tow truck drivers have among the highest fatality rate of any occupation in the United States. In fact, in 2020, tow truck drivers had a fatality rate of 38 deaths per 100,000 workers, which is more than double the national average for all occupations.
Tow truck drivers face a variety of risks while on the job that can lead to life-threatening injuries or fatalities. The most common cause of death for tow truck drivers is being struck by a vehicle while working on the road or highway.
This can happen when a driver fails to see or recognize a tow truck stopped on the side of the road or highway. Other causes include falls from open cargo bays, electrocution due to damaged wiring, and exposure to hazardous materials such as gasoline or oil spills.
In addition to these dangers, tow truck drivers are also vulnerable to robbery and assault while out on calls at night. Many times they are called to abandoned vehicles in isolated areas where they may be taken advantage of by criminals looking for an easy Target.
To reduce these risks, many states have implemented laws that require motorists to move over when they see tow trucks stopped along a highway with hazard lights activated. This law provides additional protection for tow truck drivers by allowing them additional space between their vehicles and other traffic on the road. Additionally, many companies now equip their trucks with cameras and GPS tracking systems so that they can be located quickly in case of emergencies or robberies.
The dangers faced by tow truck drivers are serious and should not be taken lightly as they put their lives at risk every time they go out on call. It is important for employers to provide adequate safety training for their drivers as well as ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained with up-to-date safety equipment such as cameras and GPS systems.
Conclusion: Tow truck driver fatalities occur at an alarmingly high rate compared to other occupations due to a variety of risks including being struck by other vehicles while stopped at the side of roads or highways, falls from open cargo bays, electrocution due to damaged wiring, exposure to hazardous materials such as gasoline or oil spills and robbery/assault while out on calls at night. To reduce these risks it is important for employers provide adequate safety training for their employees as well as ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained with up-to-date safety equipment such as cameras and GPS systems so that they can stay safe while doing their job efficiently