More laws going in place to help highway workers and towers in Virginia

New traffic safety laws start Thursday

Two new traffic safety laws will go into effect in Virginia on Thursday.

One will protect tow truck drivers and highway workers, and one will help ensure 16- and 17-year-old passengers buckle up.

During the 2010 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers voted to expand the Commonwealth’s Move Over law to include tow truck drivers and highway workers who are displaying amber-colored flashing lights, according to a AAA-Mid-Atlantic news release.....to read the full article click here 

Tow-truck driver's death sparks change in law

"Andy Starmer died despite doing everything he could for his safety. Starmer, a tow-truck driver was helping a stranded motorist on I-64 near Victory Boulevard in Newport News. He pulled his vehicle to the side of the right-shoulder of the road and turned on his flashing amber lights. He was wearing reflective clothing.

Then a truck plowed into him. He died three days before his 37th birthday..."

To read the article click here

Rules Tighten for Tow Truck Ops

Article Summary:

The city council of Rochester NY is creating much stricter rules for tow truck drivers

Key quote:

"The annual fee for tow truck operators will be $350 dollars instead of the suggested $500"

link to article

Stop that tow truck!

From creativeloafing.com
by Rhiannon Bowman

Article Summary

  • A woman is protesting predatory towing practices in Charlotte, NC by boycotting local stores

Key quote from article

"Meanwhile, Starbucks leases 12 parking spaces — 12, that’s all. So, drink your latte at your own risk."

My thoughts:

Starbucks better get more parking spots quickly or the customers are going to be too broke to afford a $5 latte.

To see the original article click here

This makes a lot of sense......much too easy for govenment use!!!!

The politicians and other idiots will probably want to spend $Millions/Billions and more for a panel of engineers to study the problem, and then most likely won't find the simple solution these guys have....



click here for link to video clip

Is the city stealing the towers' business?....

Bridgewater towing company protests municipal impound lot proposal 

from MyCentralJersey.com 

Article Summary: 

  • A New Jersey municipality wants to have their own revenue generating impound lot.

  • Traditionally, Private lots owned by towing companies are where cars were impounded

Key Quote from article: 

"Frank Sanchez, a Somerset Hills Towing spokesman, questioned the township's math, and worries the impound lot will cost the municipality money to operate it, as well as towing companies' business."

 Link to article

Towing Straps: another excellent use on a motorcycle


I saw another tow411 article post on towing straps. Notice in the picture how tightly secured the straps make the motorcycle to the towing vehicle.

for story link click here

Using tow straps on a motorcycle


I saw this article on Tow411. The towing professional did an excellent job of using the straps to secure a motorcycle and complement the chains holding the bike in place. The choice to use the flexible straps to completely secure the motorcycle was great

For story link click here

Gojak wheel lift system



For Gojak pricing click here

GoJak

Towing Parts and Products
feature item 

 GoJak 6200

The Model 6200 is an ox. Able to jack vehicle weights to 6,200 lbs. (1,550 lbs. per wheel), including light duty trucks with tire widths up to 13 inches wide and 36 inches tall. This auto jack / dolly is the most versatile and strongest GoJak® in the line. It has steel rollers, wider axles and two heavy-duty 5-inch diameter, and two heavy-duty 4-inch diameter, double-ball raceway casters. This combination makes for easier rolling with heavier loads.  The Model 6200 has a 5-degree offset pedal for additional foot-to-tire clearance.

See it in action: click HERE 

To price the item click HERE


Tow-truck gang hurl dog from stolen car

Article Summary 

  • A rogue tow truck gang stole a ladies car and threw her pet dog out of the window
  • Tow truck gangs are targeting older cars to be used as scrap
Key quote from article

The Express & Star revealed at the weekend thieves posing as tow-truck drivers had taken up to 30 cars from homes and car parks in the Black Country before selling them as scrap.


 to read the article click HERE

Council bill would prohibit towing without tickets

Article Summary

  • The Philadelphia  city council has voted that a car cannot be towed from a private lot without a ticket 
  • The council is enacting this to stop what they call "rogue towers"
  • Some towing groups believe this will create a paperwork nightmare for police
Key quote from article

"This will be 56,000 times every quarter that a policeman may have to be called to issue a ticket, and I'll be interested to see on a map . . . where policemen were issuing tickets when major crimes were occurring elsewhere in the district," Green said.

Towing company under fire for inaccessibility to people with disabilites

Article Summary

  • A disabled man in Texas could not see the towaway sign in the dark and thought he was exempt because of the disability sticker on his vehicle.
  • When the disabled man went to the towing company, he could not access the office due to the face he was in a wheelchair.
Key Quote from Story

"Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant says all business operating in Travis County has to comply with the American Disabilities Act or A.D.A. Elfant says there are a few exceptions."

 for link to story click here

'News and Specials from East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales!'

'News and Specials from East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales!'

We have a winner!

Tow truck battle brewing in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania may settle fight over truck parking

Article Summary :

  • Truckers are being towed away for parking their trucks in the once free Wal-Mart lot.
  • Wal-Mart has no control over property management enforcing the laws.
  • The laws are there to keep truckers from causing property damage or deterring customers.
Excerpt from article

"Norita Taylor, a spokeswoman for the Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association, said a shortage of parking across the U.S. is causing problems for long-haul truckers. She said statistics aren’t kept on the number of truckers towed from parking lots or the total paid in fines."

To read more..click here
 

Tow Truck Driver Turf War

Drivers bashed at gunpoint in tow truck turf war

By Francis Tapim

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) says tow truck drivers have been bashed at gunpoint in an apparent turf war in Brisbane over lucrative towing contracts. TWU secretary Hughie Williams is calling for an inquiry into the industry after serious allegations by drivers of violence and standover tactics by some operators.... Link to article