Towed Over is a blog about the towing industry, tow trucks, repo, wreckers, rollbacks, heavy duty hauling and tow parts
L.A. sets up 'bandit tow truck' hotline | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times
.A. sets up 'bandit tow truck' hotline | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times
From L.A. Times
July 29, 2010
July 29, 2010
As part of a crackdown on so-called bandit tow operators, the Los Angeles Police Commission has set up a towing company complaint hotline.
Anyone victimized by tow companies that demonstrate unethical and illegal business practices may call the number at any time, officials say.
Investigators from the commission's division that regulates permits throughout Los Angeles will be assigned to look into the complaints.
Commission officials say bandit tow operators monitor police and fire department radio frequencies and unlawfully respond to the scene of traffic collisions. They often work in tandem with unscrupulous repair shops, attorneys and medical practitioners or stake out private parking lots to tow away vehicles whose owners are not patrons of the businesses associated with those lots.
The hotline number is (323) 680-4-TOW (4869).
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Anyone victimized by tow companies that demonstrate unethical and illegal business practices may call the number at any time, officials say.
Investigators from the commission's division that regulates permits throughout Los Angeles will be assigned to look into the complaints.
Commission officials say bandit tow operators monitor police and fire department radio frequencies and unlawfully respond to the scene of traffic collisions. They often work in tandem with unscrupulous repair shops, attorneys and medical practitioners or stake out private parking lots to tow away vehicles whose owners are not patrons of the businesses associated with those lots.
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Towing as organized crime | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/26/2010
Posted on Mon, Jul. 26, 2010
Commentary
Towing as organized crime
By Ronald W. Kosh
Does someone have to be killed to focus the city's attention on towing problems?
It was bad enough that Philadelphia continued to condone the towing companies' gouging of area motorists, who contend with unethical towing practices and obscene storage charges. But now we have gunfights erupting over which towing company should get a job.
One of three Philadelphia-based tow-truck operators responding to a car crash last week was shot in an apparent dispute over what is commonly known as "wreck-chasing." Arson and more gunfire followed before police arrested one of the operators suspected in the violence.
This shooting in broad daylight - and other disputes over the vehicles of innocent drivers unfortunate enough to have accidents here - would not have happened if Philadelphia had properly implemented its rotational towing ordinance, which City Council adopted more than two years ago.
In December 2007, City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting certain towing practices and establishing a so-called rotational system. The law provided that "no person shall engage in towing from the scene of an accident or with respect to a disabled vehicle ... unless that person has either been selected through operation of such rotational system or has been selected or permitted to perform such tow ... by the State Police."
However, while the rotational towing system was designed and approved to eliminate the dangers of wreck-chasing, and while the city's Office of the Managing Director has adopted appropriate regulations to implement the ordinance, it is apparently being ignored.
Safety should be the primary concern for those responding to accident scenes. Had the rotational towing system been in place, it's unlikely that any of the recent violence would have occurred.
City officials and police must fully and immediately implement the rotational towing system to protect the stranded motorists who rely on them for assistance.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20100726_Towing_as_organized_crime.html#ixzz0utIg9G7G
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else
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Towing as organized crime | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/26/2010
Towing service owners offer safety tips - Benton, IL - Benton Evening News
This is an older article but a great example of simple cheap advertising by doing nothing more than posting tips on your website. The real publicity came when the Benton Evening News picked up the story sending it out to thousands...cost to the towing company: $0
--------------------------------------------------------------
By Mona Sandefur
Benton Evening News
Posted Jan 16, 2009 @ 05:00 PM
Benton, Ill. —
Temperatures have dropped to their lowest level since Christmas 2004. Those working outdoors or venturing outside have heard repeated urgings to bundle up and wear extra layers of clothing.
Tips for travelers abound. What to carry in vehicles in case of an emergency is available at your fingertips, via the Internet. Stranded motorists waiting for help to arrive are being offered tips, compliments of Shane Cockrum and Chris Sawyer, owners of Ranger Towing and Recovery in Benton.
“We have seen a lot of dangerous situations, particularly on the interstate,” Sawyer said. “One of the first tips we can offer is to have residents program the telephone number of a towing service into their cell phones. This can save a lot of time, especially during an emergency. Be sure to program the telephone numbers of local police departments, or remember to dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
Before a towing service reaches a stranded motorist, there are some safety precautions the motorist should take, he said: “Be sure to turn on your emergency flashers. Try to move your vehicle to the right-hand side of the road out of the direction of traffic. If you are on the left side of a divided highway, this can be a very dangerous place to be but is sometimes unavoidable. Do not leave your vehicle stopped in a traffic lane.”
Cockrum said vehicles should be moved as far away from traffic as possible.
“If possible, make sure you have plenty of room before opening the door of your vehicle,” he said. “You do not want to open the door into oncoming traffic, and you certainly do not want to step into the path of a moving vehicle.
“Be prepared for problem situations at all times, and particularly during extreme cold weather,” Cockrum said. “Keep items in your vehicle such as flashlights, flares, blankets and a first-aid kit. Mobile phones are probably the most valuable safety tool you can carry in the event of an emergency.”
Both Cockrum and Sawyer have prior roadside experience.
“My father, Ron Sawyer, owns Sawyer Trucking in Christopher,” Sawyer said.
Cockrum said he has seen a lot of accidents while performing firefighting duties.
“Too many accidents happen, and most are totally avoidable,” he said. “As with driving, roadside safety is equally important. In the past two years, we have lost a firefighter and construction workers in the area.
“New laws on the books mean drivers are supposed to slow down in accident and construction zones but that does not always happen,” Cockrum said.
“Shib’s Law and Scott’s Law were both passed to protect emergency personnel and construction workers. Scott’s Law, named after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, mandates that when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, if the vehicle is displaying flashing warning lights, drivers are supposed to proceed with caution. Motorists are supposed to yield the right-of-way by moving to another lane if possible and reducing their speed. This is also called the ‘move over’ law.”
Shib’s Law was named in memory of a Sesser firefighter.
“James G. Miller was a 22-year veteran of the Sesser Fire Protection District,” Sawyer said. “Everyone knew him as Shib. He lost his life at 4:14 a.m. on July 27, 2007, while responding to an emergency call on Interstate 57. Shib’s Law is designed to protect emergency personnel. Both of these laws are designed to protect those who work close to the roadway but we all know that not everyone follows the laws.”
Another law, recently passed, requires emergency personnel to wear reflective clothing.
“Federal law in the United States now requires all personnel working on a federally funded highway to wear a high visibility vest,” Cockrum said. “That law started on Nov. 25, 2008. Firefighters are excluded since the vest does not comply with NFPA regulations. Paramedics, police officers, tow truck operators, and road workers are required by law to wear the reflective vests.”
Cockrum and Sawyer are graduates of Benton Consolidated High School and said the name of the company was a “no-brainer.”
“We both grew up Rangers,” Sawyer said. “Before we started the towing and recovery business, we both wrote out a list of names to call the service. We met the following day and had about five or six names each. On both lists was the name Ranger Towing and Recovery. It just seemed like the right choice.”
Cockrum said both want to do more than just provide towing and recovery service.
“We are members of the community,” he said. “These are our neighbors and friends. We have known people in the communities our whole lives. We want to do more than the average towing service. We will go the extra mile to help our customers.”
Sawyer said Ranger Towing and Recovery is a 24-hour towing and roadside service company.
“We also provide tire changing, will help you if you lock your keys in your vehicle and can winch you out of a ditch,” he said
Towing service owners offer safety tips - Benton, IL - Benton Evening News
--------------------------------------------------------------
By Mona Sandefur
Benton Evening News
Posted Jan 16, 2009 @ 05:00 PM
Benton, Ill. —
Temperatures have dropped to their lowest level since Christmas 2004. Those working outdoors or venturing outside have heard repeated urgings to bundle up and wear extra layers of clothing.
Tips for travelers abound. What to carry in vehicles in case of an emergency is available at your fingertips, via the Internet. Stranded motorists waiting for help to arrive are being offered tips, compliments of Shane Cockrum and Chris Sawyer, owners of Ranger Towing and Recovery in Benton.
“We have seen a lot of dangerous situations, particularly on the interstate,” Sawyer said. “One of the first tips we can offer is to have residents program the telephone number of a towing service into their cell phones. This can save a lot of time, especially during an emergency. Be sure to program the telephone numbers of local police departments, or remember to dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
Before a towing service reaches a stranded motorist, there are some safety precautions the motorist should take, he said: “Be sure to turn on your emergency flashers. Try to move your vehicle to the right-hand side of the road out of the direction of traffic. If you are on the left side of a divided highway, this can be a very dangerous place to be but is sometimes unavoidable. Do not leave your vehicle stopped in a traffic lane.”
Cockrum said vehicles should be moved as far away from traffic as possible.
“If possible, make sure you have plenty of room before opening the door of your vehicle,” he said. “You do not want to open the door into oncoming traffic, and you certainly do not want to step into the path of a moving vehicle.
“Be prepared for problem situations at all times, and particularly during extreme cold weather,” Cockrum said. “Keep items in your vehicle such as flashlights, flares, blankets and a first-aid kit. Mobile phones are probably the most valuable safety tool you can carry in the event of an emergency.”
Both Cockrum and Sawyer have prior roadside experience.
“My father, Ron Sawyer, owns Sawyer Trucking in Christopher,” Sawyer said.
Cockrum said he has seen a lot of accidents while performing firefighting duties.
“Too many accidents happen, and most are totally avoidable,” he said. “As with driving, roadside safety is equally important. In the past two years, we have lost a firefighter and construction workers in the area.
“New laws on the books mean drivers are supposed to slow down in accident and construction zones but that does not always happen,” Cockrum said.
“Shib’s Law and Scott’s Law were both passed to protect emergency personnel and construction workers. Scott’s Law, named after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, mandates that when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, if the vehicle is displaying flashing warning lights, drivers are supposed to proceed with caution. Motorists are supposed to yield the right-of-way by moving to another lane if possible and reducing their speed. This is also called the ‘move over’ law.”
Shib’s Law was named in memory of a Sesser firefighter.
“James G. Miller was a 22-year veteran of the Sesser Fire Protection District,” Sawyer said. “Everyone knew him as Shib. He lost his life at 4:14 a.m. on July 27, 2007, while responding to an emergency call on Interstate 57. Shib’s Law is designed to protect emergency personnel. Both of these laws are designed to protect those who work close to the roadway but we all know that not everyone follows the laws.”
Another law, recently passed, requires emergency personnel to wear reflective clothing.
“Federal law in the United States now requires all personnel working on a federally funded highway to wear a high visibility vest,” Cockrum said. “That law started on Nov. 25, 2008. Firefighters are excluded since the vest does not comply with NFPA regulations. Paramedics, police officers, tow truck operators, and road workers are required by law to wear the reflective vests.”
Cockrum and Sawyer are graduates of Benton Consolidated High School and said the name of the company was a “no-brainer.”
“We both grew up Rangers,” Sawyer said. “Before we started the towing and recovery business, we both wrote out a list of names to call the service. We met the following day and had about five or six names each. On both lists was the name Ranger Towing and Recovery. It just seemed like the right choice.”
Cockrum said both want to do more than just provide towing and recovery service.
“We are members of the community,” he said. “These are our neighbors and friends. We have known people in the communities our whole lives. We want to do more than the average towing service. We will go the extra mile to help our customers.”
Sawyer said Ranger Towing and Recovery is a 24-hour towing and roadside service company.
“We also provide tire changing, will help you if you lock your keys in your vehicle and can winch you out of a ditch,” he said
Towing service owners offer safety tips - Benton, IL - Benton Evening News
Tow-truck operator pleads no contest to felony charges - San Jose Mercury News
He could face up to 14 years in prison on charges of embezzlement, forgery and perjury.
The Santa Clara County District attorney's office charged that Cardinalli, a San Benito County resident,
exploited the small claims system to gouge fees and drain the bank accounts of his victims.
Cardinalli ran a company called B & C Towing and Professional Collection Inc.
His victims claimed that he would tow their cars and then sue them without adequate notice.
— Mercury News
David Frankel
It's good news for parking ticket scofflaws.
A little-noticed bill now headed for Gov. Paterson's desk would let people who fail to pay their fines park on city streets without fear of their cars being towed.
The measure could cost city taxpayers $50 million a year, Mayor Bloomberg says, and seriously harm public safety as more drivers boldly flout parking laws.
"Once it becomes common knowledge that most vehicles will be completely exempt from scofflaw towing, collection rates will drop," Bloomberg wrote Paterson last week, urging him to veto the bill.
"With the loss of towing as a deterrent, the change is also likely to increase illegal parking, endangering public safety."
The possible parking free-for-all comes from a bill sponsored in the Senate by Attorney General candidate Eric Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat.
The bill aims to protect people in bankruptcy or financial crisis from losing their last dollar to creditors, putting items out of creditors' reach like homes worth less than $150,000 and wedding rings worth less than $1,000.
The measure drew scant attention when it passed the Assembly and Senate by large majorities several weeks ago.
When city lawyers reviewed the bill, they discovered it would also bar creditors - including cities - from seizing vehicles worth $4,000 or less.
That's $4,000 after outstanding loans, so even luxury cars - Lamborghinis and BMWs - would be protected from towing if they're heavily financed.
City officials say the rules would virtually end their practice of towing cars whose drivers have racked up more than $350 in parking tickets.
"It is impossible to expect marshals and sheriffs in the field - even if they had a Kelley Blue Book - to be able to determine the value of a car after loans and other liens are considered," said a furious David Frankel, the city's finance commissioner.
"This bill tells New Yorkers it is okay to break the law. They can obstruct traffic and hinder public safety."
The mayor's office says it's working with Schneiderman to alter the bill, but the senator defended it yesterday.
"This legislation will ensure that, in these tough economic times, low-income working families who go into debt do not become destitute and entirely dependent on state aid," said Justin Berhaupt, Schneiderman's legislative director.
Gov. Paterson will receive the bill for consideration in the next few weeks. His spokesman said he will review it when it arrives
.
A little-noticed bill now headed for Gov. Paterson's desk would let people who fail to pay their fines park on city streets without fear of their cars being towed.
The measure could cost city taxpayers $50 million a year, Mayor Bloomberg says, and seriously harm public safety as more drivers boldly flout parking laws.
"Once it becomes common knowledge that most vehicles will be completely exempt from scofflaw towing, collection rates will drop," Bloomberg wrote Paterson last week, urging him to veto the bill.
"With the loss of towing as a deterrent, the change is also likely to increase illegal parking, endangering public safety."
The possible parking free-for-all comes from a bill sponsored in the Senate by Attorney General candidate Eric Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat.
The bill aims to protect people in bankruptcy or financial crisis from losing their last dollar to creditors, putting items out of creditors' reach like homes worth less than $150,000 and wedding rings worth less than $1,000.
The measure drew scant attention when it passed the Assembly and Senate by large majorities several weeks ago.
When city lawyers reviewed the bill, they discovered it would also bar creditors - including cities - from seizing vehicles worth $4,000 or less.
That's $4,000 after outstanding loans, so even luxury cars - Lamborghinis and BMWs - would be protected from towing if they're heavily financed.
City officials say the rules would virtually end their practice of towing cars whose drivers have racked up more than $350 in parking tickets.
"It is impossible to expect marshals and sheriffs in the field - even if they had a Kelley Blue Book - to be able to determine the value of a car after loans and other liens are considered," said a furious David Frankel, the city's finance commissioner.
"This bill tells New Yorkers it is okay to break the law. They can obstruct traffic and hinder public safety."
The mayor's office says it's working with Schneiderman to alter the bill, but the senator defended it yesterday.
"This legislation will ensure that, in these tough economic times, low-income working families who go into debt do not become destitute and entirely dependent on state aid," said Justin Berhaupt, Schneiderman's legislative director.
Gov. Paterson will receive the bill for consideration in the next few weeks. His spokesman said he will review it when it arrives
.
City to buy towing truck to rid of street obstructions
The Iloilo City government is planning to buy a towing truck to rid the city streets of traffic obstruction.Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said a truck will be used to tow away vehicles that obstruct the roads and bring these to the motorpool in San Pedro, Molo.
The site used to be a terminal for southbound jeepneys but was later turned into a parking area for government vehicles and for towed vehicles.
Vehicles that cause traffic congestion should be immediately towed away by authorities, he said.
A growing number of jeepneys and private vehicles in the city has already crowded the main streets, aside from the illegal structures sprouting along the major thoroughfares.
Towing away these illegally parked vehicles and removing the illegal structures along the streets will definitely improve the city’s traffic situation, the mayor said.
Mabilog said the city government will look for funds to buy the towing truck.
The mayor said he will also ask the City Council to increase the towing fee from P50 to P100.
As it is, the towing fee is so small it won’t be able to pay for the gasoline and services of towing companies, he said.
Mabilog said only a handful of towing companies are willing to invest in the city because of the very low towing fee.
He also has ordered the Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit to strictly monitor illegally parked vehicles.
Most private vehicles have a penchant for double parking especially in front of business establishments and even government offices.
This should not be tolerated, Mabilog said.
City to buy towing truck to rid of street obstructions
The site used to be a terminal for southbound jeepneys but was later turned into a parking area for government vehicles and for towed vehicles.
Vehicles that cause traffic congestion should be immediately towed away by authorities, he said.
A growing number of jeepneys and private vehicles in the city has already crowded the main streets, aside from the illegal structures sprouting along the major thoroughfares.
Towing away these illegally parked vehicles and removing the illegal structures along the streets will definitely improve the city’s traffic situation, the mayor said.
Mabilog said the city government will look for funds to buy the towing truck.
The mayor said he will also ask the City Council to increase the towing fee from P50 to P100.
As it is, the towing fee is so small it won’t be able to pay for the gasoline and services of towing companies, he said.
Mabilog said only a handful of towing companies are willing to invest in the city because of the very low towing fee.
He also has ordered the Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit to strictly monitor illegally parked vehicles.
Most private vehicles have a penchant for double parking especially in front of business establishments and even government offices.
This should not be tolerated, Mabilog said.
City to buy towing truck to rid of street obstructions
Tow truck driver arrested for allegedly stealing credit card from man who had his vehicle impounded by CHP officers - SGVTribune.com
I
Officials said Thursday a tow truck driver has been arrested on suspicion that he stole a credit card from an impounded car and used it to buy $464 in merchandise from a law enforcement supply company.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies Wednesday arrested tow truck driver David Rivera of Bellflower on suspicion of theft, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Bob Carr said. The arrest follows separate investigations by the California Highway Patrol and Sheriff's Department into claims a man who CHP officers arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in March had his credit card stolen and billed for $464 in goods from a law enforcement supply company, officials said.
The items were ordered by phone and mailed to a home in Bellflower, officials said.
CHP investigators discovered the merchandise was delivered to Rivera's home and told the Sheriff's Department, CHP Officer Luis Mendoza said.
"I'm very relieved the police had nothing to do with this," said Philip Dub , director of the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Metro Office.
"I appreciate the fact officers investigated this and solved it very quickly," he said. Rivera, 33, worked as a tow truck driver for H&L Towing, authorities said.
Based in South Gate, the company is contracted to tow vehicles for the CHP, said H&L Towing's owner, Hector Urzua. Two weeks after he was first employed by the company on March 5, Rivera allegedly stole the credit card of Luis Gonzalez, Urzua said. Gonzalez was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving by CHP officers on March 21, according to officials. Rivera towed Gonzalez's car, Urzua said.
Urzua said he fired Rivera on Wednesday after he learned about the alleged theft."He was fired because he was stealing things from cars," Urzua said.A day after Gonzalez was arrested, his credit card was used to order four pairs of boots and other items from a Cerritos-based company that supplies goods to law enforcement officials, Gonzalez and officials said. Urzua said his company has not received any other reports of theft. He also said Rivera passed a criminal background check before he was hired. Rivera is being held on felony charges, according to sheriff's booking records. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has yet to file charges, officials said. Rivera remains jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to sheriff's booking records.
Tow Truck Shooter Arrested, Cops Block Wreckers From Accident Info | PhillyNow | A blog about Philadelphia news, politics and culture by Philadelphia Weekly
Are Philly’s tow truck wars already over?
An alleged gun-man in this week’s towing blow-up has been arrested, and the police have changed the rules to prevent future problems, no longer broadcasting accident information over radios that wreckers can listen in on.
Jose LaTorre, Jr., wanted for Monday’s shooting of Mystical Towing driver Angel Carrera, turned himself into police last night. The shooting allegedly was the result of a dispute between LaTorre and Carrera over a potential customer after an accident on Hunting Park Avenue.
Action News spoke with the owner of Mystical:
In response to the violence, police say they will now transmit minor accident information over laptops instead of their radios so the wreckers won’t get the drop on them. It’s not a perfect solution, says the Inky:
Because the new rules block access to accident info, they are more likely to stick. But come on, aren’t tow truck wars more exciting than parking wars?
Tow Truck Shooter Arrested, Cops Block Wreckers From Accident Info | PhillyNow | A blog about Philadelphia news, politics and culture by Philadelphia Weekly
An alleged gun-man in this week’s towing blow-up has been arrested, and the police have changed the rules to prevent future problems, no longer broadcasting accident information over radios that wreckers can listen in on.
Jose LaTorre, Jr., wanted for Monday’s shooting of Mystical Towing driver Angel Carrera, turned himself into police last night. The shooting allegedly was the result of a dispute between LaTorre and Carrera over a potential customer after an accident on Hunting Park Avenue.
Action News spoke with the owner of Mystical:
“LaTorre told him he couldn’t talk to his customer,” Mystical owner John Campbell said of the employee who was shot. “He told (LaTorre), `Well, I don’t see no tow truck there.”‘After the shooting a bunch of cars at J & Sons got torched, and someone fired a gun at Mystical’s office building.
LaTorre had been on the run ever since. The suspect’s father, Jose LaTorre Sr.,the owner of J & Sons Towing, did not return several messages left at the family business.
. . .
Campbell, 35, said he has talked by phone to LaTorre Jr. and encouraged him to surrender so they can put the feud behind them. “None of this is good for business,” he said.
In response to the violence, police say they will now transmit minor accident information over laptops instead of their radios so the wreckers won’t get the drop on them. It’s not a perfect solution, says the Inky:
Police radio is generally more effective because officers who hear the calls and are near an accident sometimes arrive sooner than officers who receive a specific call for help.The Daily News adds that dispatchers will start calling for a tow truck before the police even arrive at the accident to help fend off future brew-ha-has.
“It’s a trade-off, and we are going to have to weigh certain factors,” [Deputy Commissioner Jack] Gaittens said. “We are not looking to replace police-radio transmissions and tie up the [computers].”
Before, the radio room would wait until a cop got to the scene and radio back in for a tow. Now, the dispatcher asks the caller if the vehicles are blocking a highway or sidewalk, if there is a safety concern and if a tow is needed. Then the dispatcher contacts the next tow company in the rotation and dispatches police officers, Gaittens said.Councilman Jim Kenney has called for legislation to mandate that the dispatchers call the towing companies in advance, and also fines for wreckers who show up uninvited. It all sounds good, but Philadelphia has implemented tough towing laws before. Councilman Frank Rizzo got a “rotational towing” system passed two years ago in which police call tow trucks from a list to spread out the business, but the rule has been largely ignored, mostly because the tow trucks got to accidents before the police could.
Because the new rules block access to accident info, they are more likely to stick. But come on, aren’t tow truck wars more exciting than parking wars?
Tow Truck Shooter Arrested, Cops Block Wreckers From Accident Info | PhillyNow | A blog about Philadelphia news, politics and culture by Philadelphia Weekly
pulled from Toronto Sun
July 21,2010
A Kitchener truck driver is facing a careless driving charge but on the bright side, his tooth doesn’t hurt anymore.
Lambton County OPP say they stopped a big rig driver doing some driving dentistry along Hwy. 402 on Wednesday.
Const. John Reurink told the Sun Saturday it’s the first time he’s ever heard of a driver being pulled over performing dental surgery.
“I’ve never heard of this sort of thing occurring before,” Reurink said, adding he has stopped drivers doing their make-up, reading a map or talking on a cellphone. “Somebody doing an amateur tooth pulling? That’s a first.”
Reurink said it all started June 30 when an officer was on Hwy. 402 in Warwick Township, near Sarnia, and a passing driver pointed him to a tractor trailer being driven “all over the road.”
The officer found the eastbound rig and pulled it over.
Cops determined the 58-year-old driver was driving so poorly because he was trying to pull out a tooth while he was driving.
“The driver was very forthright with the officer,” Reurink said.
The amateur dentist of a driver had rigged a string around his hurting tooth and then tied the other end to the roof of the cab, police said.
“One good bump and the tooth should come out,” police explained.
Turns out the “one good bump” likely did come along at some point.
“The evidence of his efforts were nearby,” Reurink said.
When the driver was stopped the officer found a bloody tooth and a string lying next to him.
Strangely, police say the road down that way isn’t that bumpy and was recently resurfaced.
“He may have been better off on a sideroad,” Reurink said.
Police won’t be releasing the driver’s name because he’s charged under the Highway Traffic Act, not the Criminal Code, and they figure he’d be “continuously bombarded” by media trying to talk to him about his stunt - which would likely be more of a headache than a toothache.
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msaks@ectts.com -
- msaks@ectts.com
July 21,2010
Lambton County OPP say they stopped a big rig driver doing some driving dentistry along Hwy. 402 on Wednesday.
Const. John Reurink told the Sun Saturday it’s the first time he’s ever heard of a driver being pulled over performing dental surgery.
“I’ve never heard of this sort of thing occurring before,” Reurink said, adding he has stopped drivers doing their make-up, reading a map or talking on a cellphone. “Somebody doing an amateur tooth pulling? That’s a first.”
Reurink said it all started June 30 when an officer was on Hwy. 402 in Warwick Township, near Sarnia, and a passing driver pointed him to a tractor trailer being driven “all over the road.”
The officer found the eastbound rig and pulled it over.
Cops determined the 58-year-old driver was driving so poorly because he was trying to pull out a tooth while he was driving.
“The driver was very forthright with the officer,” Reurink said.
The amateur dentist of a driver had rigged a string around his hurting tooth and then tied the other end to the roof of the cab, police said.
“One good bump and the tooth should come out,” police explained.
Turns out the “one good bump” likely did come along at some point.
“The evidence of his efforts were nearby,” Reurink said.
When the driver was stopped the officer found a bloody tooth and a string lying next to him.
Strangely, police say the road down that way isn’t that bumpy and was recently resurfaced.
“He may have been better off on a sideroad,” Reurink said.
Police won’t be releasing the driver’s name because he’s charged under the Highway Traffic Act, not the Criminal Code, and they figure he’d be “continuously bombarded” by media trying to talk to him about his stunt - which would likely be more of a headache than a toothache.
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msaks@ectts.com -
- msaks@ectts.com
Tow Truck Driver Shot In Hunting Park
----------------------------------------------------click above to see the clip
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Tow truck drivers considering striking over unfair wage practices
WLBT#
By Julie Straw
JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Tow truck operators and drivers considered going on strike against JPD and the city of Jackson. Representatives from a number of local wrecker services met at a restaurant in Flowood Sunday evening...to read the full article click here
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Need metal towing signs?
East Coast Truck Sign and Design is your one stop shop
call 757-465-2200 and ask for Bobby or
email msaks@ectts.com
+of+red2+copy.jpg)
By Julie Straw
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Need metal towing signs?
East Coast Truck Sign and Design is your one stop shop
call 757-465-2200 and ask for Bobby or
email msaks@ectts.com
+of+red2+copy.jpg)
DOE Keeps 2010 Diesel Forecast Under $3 a Gallon | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News
Oil Price Outlook Unchanged from May
Diesel’s national retail price will average $2.98 a gallon this year, the Department of Energy said Wednesday, boosting its most recent prediction by 2 cents.
Trucking’s main fuel will rise to an average $3.13 at the pump next year, also 2 cents over last month’s forecast, DOE said in its monthly short-term energy outlook released Wednesday.
DOE said in its weekly report Tuesday that the national average diesel price was $2.924 a gallon — down more than 20 cents from the year’s $3.127 peak, set on May 10.
The price topped $3 a gallon for eight consecutive weeks ending May 24. Diesel averaged $2.46 per gallon last year.
Gasoline, meanwhile, will average $2.77 a gallon this year, DOE said, and average $2.80 during this summer’s driving season, which generally has the highest price due to strong demand.
Both those forecasts are a penny over last month’s outlook, and the summer figure is 36 cents higher than last year, DOE said. Gasoline averaged $2.726 in this week’s national survey and $2.35 last year.
Crude oil prices — which finished June at about $76 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange — will average $79 in the second half of the year before climbing to $83 next year, unchanged from last month’s outlook.
DOE also said that reductions in crude output resulting from the 6-month deepwater drilling moratorium announced by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on May 27 will average 31,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter.
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Diesel’s national retail price will average $2.98 a gallon this year, the Department of Energy said Wednesday, boosting its most recent prediction by 2 cents.
Trucking’s main fuel will rise to an average $3.13 at the pump next year, also 2 cents over last month’s forecast, DOE said in its monthly short-term energy outlook released Wednesday.
DOE said in its weekly report Tuesday that the national average diesel price was $2.924 a gallon — down more than 20 cents from the year’s $3.127 peak, set on May 10.
The price topped $3 a gallon for eight consecutive weeks ending May 24. Diesel averaged $2.46 per gallon last year.
Gasoline, meanwhile, will average $2.77 a gallon this year, DOE said, and average $2.80 during this summer’s driving season, which generally has the highest price due to strong demand.
Both those forecasts are a penny over last month’s outlook, and the summer figure is 36 cents higher than last year, DOE said. Gasoline averaged $2.726 in this week’s national survey and $2.35 last year.
Crude oil prices — which finished June at about $76 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange — will average $79 in the second half of the year before climbing to $83 next year, unchanged from last month’s outlook.
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New Jobless Claims Fall 21,000 for Week | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News
Initial jobless claims fell by 21,000 last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.
The decline to 454,000 claims for the week ended Saturday was below economists’ forecasts of 460,000 new claims, Bloomberg reported.
The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure, declined to 466,000, from 467,250 the previous week.
Continuing claims for the previous week ended June 26 fell by 224,000 to 4.413 million, the lowest level since November 2008.
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The decline to 454,000 claims for the week ended Saturday was below economists’ forecasts of 460,000 new claims, Bloomberg reported.
The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure, declined to 466,000, from 467,250 the previous week.
Continuing claims for the previous week ended June 26 fell by 224,000 to 4.413 million, the lowest level since November 2008.
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Towing Salesman (Portsmouth, VA)
East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales, Inc. is looking for an inside/outside salesman to sell our towing & rollback truck inventory. We specialize in Jerr Dan trucks. Excellent market with limited competition in this area. We need someone to help “beat the streets” and market our product. We will provide marketing material, vehicle transportation, vehicles for demonstration, and a pre-existing database for leads. Need someone to maintain existing customers and recruit potential new customers.
Base pay plus commission. Experience in towing industry preferred but not required. At least 3 years previous sales experience. Must be outgoing and an optimistic individual with the ability to cold call. CDL Preferred. Please forward resume to Bob Berger at BBerger@ectts.com or fax to 757-292-2028. Learn more about us and the products we sell at http://www.ectts.com./
Tow truck drivers want fairer deal
Tow truck drivers are being bashed and abused on Toowoomba's streets in a cut-throat industry they say needs to be more strictly regulated.
Managers from two of the city's biggest tow truck companies have called for more government regulation and the introduction of a roster system for tow jobs from car crashes...to read more click here
Managers from two of the city's biggest tow truck companies have called for more government regulation and the introduction of a roster system for tow jobs from car crashes...to read more click here
Cop accused of soliciting $150 tow-scam payment
A 20-year Chicago Police veteran has been charged in connection with the federal "Operation Tow Scam" bribes and extortion investigation.
Shakespeare District officer James Wodnicki, 48, allegedly solicited a $150 payment from a tow truck operator who, at the time, was secretly working for the FBI, according to a federal criminal complaint... to read the full article click here
Shakespeare District officer James Wodnicki, 48, allegedly solicited a $150 payment from a tow truck operator who, at the time, was secretly working for the FBI, according to a federal criminal complaint... to read the full article click here
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