Safety basics
Roadside safety for tow operators: habits that keep you working
Last updated
The short answer
The basics of roadside safety for tow operators are to be seen, to position the truck to shield the scene, to work on the side away from traffic, and to never turn your back on moving vehicles. This is general guidance only. Always follow your company safety policy, your training and your state rules.
What is the most important rule of roadside safety for tow operators?
The most important rule is that traffic is the biggest hazard at every roadside job, so everything you do should make it easier for drivers to see you and easier for them to steer around you.
Everything below is general, widely accepted practice and not a substitute for anything. Your company safety policy, your training and the rules in your state come first. If any of this differs from what you were taught, go with what you were taught.
How do I make sure other drivers can see me?
Wear high-visibility clothing, use your warning lights, and make sure every light on the truck works before you leave the yard. A light that is out is a light a distracted driver will not see.
Keep the truck clean where reflective tape and lights are. Light up the scene, especially at night and in rain, fog or snow, when drivers see you late.
Where should I park the tow truck at the scene?
Park so the truck sits between traffic and the work area whenever the scene allows, and use it as a shield for you and the customer. Think about where a car that drifts would go and put steel between that car and people.
Read the scene before you commit. Look at curves, hills, shoulders and lanes, and set up with room to work and room to get out. Follow your company procedure for how and where to position on the kind of road you are on.
How do I work safely around traffic?
Work from the side of the vehicle away from traffic whenever you can, keep your head up, and never turn your back on moving vehicles. Before you step out, look. Before you step around the truck, look again.
Move the customer and any passengers to a safe place away from the road, usually well off the shoulder and behind a barrier if there is one. A stressed person standing next to a lane of cars is a second thing to worry about, so get them clear early.
- Do a quick scan of the scene before you get out: traffic, ground, the vehicle, the people.
- Keep tools and equipment on the safe side of the truck.
- Speak up if the scene is unsafe. Call dispatch, and ask for help such as more warning, a second truck or emergency services.
- Stay off your phone when you are near moving traffic.
When should I stop and call for help?
Stop when the scene is beyond what you can make safe, when someone is hurt, or when your gut says something is wrong. Call emergency services if anyone is injured or the scene is dangerous, and tell dispatch where you are.
A late job is better than a hurt operator, and a good dispatcher will back you up. Every company should have a way for a driver to say I am not comfortable working this and be heard.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a safety training program?
No. It is a short reminder of general, widely accepted habits. It does not replace your company safety policy, your formal training or the rules that apply in your state, and you should follow those first.
What should I wear at a roadside job?
Wear high-visibility clothing that suits the conditions and follow whatever your company requires. Add reflective gear at night and in bad weather, when you are harder to see.
What if the customer wants to stay near the road?
Ask them politely and firmly to move to a safer place away from traffic, and explain why. Most people are glad to be told what to do, and their safety is part of your job at the scene.
Does the job link help with safety?
A little. You can check the pickup, vehicle and notes before you roll, and let dispatch know your status with a tap instead of a phone call once you are safely stopped. Keep the phone mounted and do not handle it while the truck is moving.
Working for a tow company?
If your company is looking at a way to send jobs without an app, show your owner how TowSitePros works. The job link reaches the driver by text or email, depending on how texting is set up, and there is nothing to install.