Common Factors In Tow Truck Accidents And How To Avoid Them
If you have ever been stuck on the road after an accident or a broken-down vehicle, you may be familiar with the relief you get at the sight of a tow truck. Although an approaching tow truck is a great sign of help in this situation, accidents involving tow trucks are increasingly dangerous.
Accidents that involve tow trucks are often more dangerous as tow trucks are typically larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which can make them more difficult to maneuver and control, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Tow trucks are often equipped with flashing lights and other warning devices to alert other drivers to their presence, but accidents can still occur due to limited visibility, particularly at night or in low-light conditions.
Moreover, tow trucks are larger than all other passenger vehicles and have larger blind spots increasing the chances of accidents.
Apart from size and weight, there are several other factors that contribute to tow truck accidents. Some of them are explained in the following blog post.
Also Read: When Should You Use Flatbed Towing?
Driver Fatigue
Accidents occur all the time, day and night. According to reports, 53% of accidents occur during the daytime, and 47% of accidents take place at night. This can be explained by the fact that there are fewer vehicles on the road at night.
Accidents due to driver fatigue are a significant problem on roads and highways worldwide. Driver fatigue is a condition that can occur when a driver has not had enough sleep, is driving during their normal sleep hours, or is driving for an extended period without taking breaks. Fatigue can impair a driver’s reaction time, decision-making ability, and overall performance, making them more likely to be involved in an accident.
Fatigued drivers are no different from inebriated drivers on the road. Like them, fatigued drivers can also face tunnel vision, delayed reflexes, trouble with response time, and disorientation. Even more dangerously, fatigued drivers can even drift off behind the wheel.
In the case of tow truck drivers, this poses a serious threat and hazard not only to the tow truck and vehicle loaded but also to others on the road.
To prevent accidents due to driver fatigue, it’s important for drivers to get enough rest before getting behind the wheel, avoid driving during their normal sleep hours, and take regular breaks during long trips. It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol and medications that can cause drowsiness and to pull over and take a nap if you start to feel tired or drowsy while driving.
Improperly Secured Cargo
Towing services use several methods to load cargo vehicles for towing. The most commonly used method is loading a car on a flatbed tow truck and then securing it to ensure no movement during transit.
Other vehicles are towed by attaching a hook under the car’s bumper and attaching the other end to the tow truck. Similarly, some vehicles are towed by securing their front wheels on the tow truck and are then dragged on their rare wheels.
Unfortunately, all these tow methods have their loopholes and a high potential for error. Hence, in all towing methods, if the towed vehicle is not secured properly, it can slide down and off the truck.
Many countries have laws and regulations regarding cargo transportation, including how goods should be secured. If you violate these laws and cause an accident, you could face legal consequences, such as fines, penalties, or even imprisonment.
Larger Blind Spots
Similar to big rigs, tow trucks have large blind spots as well. Tow trucks are typically larger and longer than other vehicles, which can make it more difficult for drivers to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles around them.
Tow truck drivers have to pay extra attention and be cautious of the other vehicles around them to avoid deadly collisions and severe accidents. Some modern tow trucks come with built-in cameras to help the drivers better understand the situation around them. Unfortunately, not all tow trucks have these external cameras, and some inexperienced tow truck drivers can fail to determine the actual distance using the cameras, which increases the risk of accidents.
About Action Towing
Action Towing is a professional towing and roadside assistance company in Edmonton. We have a team of trained and experienced towing experts and tow truck drivers who have dealt with different types of vehicles in various situations.
Our comprehensive towing services make it easy for people to rely on us for all towing and roadside assistance-related services. Therefore, you can contact us at any time to get the best towing services in Edmonton.
