How Often Do Tow Truck Drivers Get Killed?

Tow truck drivers, who provide an essential service in recovering and transporting vehicles, often put their safety at risk. They are routinely exposed to hazardous conditions, including dangerous roads and inclement weather, as well as the possibility of working with unstable or intoxicated individuals. Regrettably, a number of tow truck drivers have been killed on the job in recent years.

In 2017, tow truck driver Jason Hargrove was killed after being assaulted by a Detroit bus driver while assisting a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. Later that year, tow truck driver Arturo Santiago was shot and killed while responding to an abandoned car call in Arizona.

In 2018, tow truck driver James Dorman was shot and killed while responding to a call in Texas. And just last month, tow truck driver Michael Saffell was fatally struck by a car while assisting customers in Maryland.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 500 people were killed as pedestrians or bike riders related to work activity between 2011 and 2015. That number represented 13% of all workplace fatalities during that period — the second-highest category behind motor vehicle crashes (which accounted for 41%). Unfortunately, the NHTSA does not break down those numbers further to identify how many of those deaths were among tow truck drivers specifically.

The sad reality is that these tragedies are becoming increasingly common — a result of dangerous roads and distracted driving — but there are steps we can take to protect these brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to help others in need. Tow truck companies can implement additional safety measures such as installing dash cams in their vehicles or providing employees with additional protective gear like bulletproof vests or reflective clothing. State governments can also play a role by providing increased funding for better road safety infrastructure such as median barriers or improved lighting along highways where tow trucks often operate at night.

Ultimately, it’s up to all drivers — whether professional or recreational — to remain vigilant when sharing the road with tow trucks and other roadside assistance workers so that these tragedies don’t continue happening at such alarming rates.

Conclusion: How often do tow truck drivers get killed? Unfortunately, far too often – there have been numerous instances of fatal incidents involving tow truck drivers over the past few years alone. While more needs to be done to ensure their safety on the job – including implementing additional safety measures by companies and improved road infrastructure by state governments – it is ultimately up to all drivers on the road to remain vigilant when sharing space with these brave individuals who risk their lives every day.

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Susan Delgado