Tower Down - 05.11.17 (TX)

[TowForce]

Topic originally appeared on Tow411 05.13.17:

Tow truck driver death brings state law reminder (TX)

 

The death of a Central Texas tow truck driver Thursday morning on Interstate 14 in Harker Heights serves as a reminder that tow trucks, as emergency response vehicles, are included under the state’s Move Over or Slow Down law.

Scott Bowles, 39, a driver for Goode Towing in Killeen, died at 7:09 a.m. at Seton Hospital, Harker Heights Sgt. Stephen Miller confirmed Thursday afternoon. Bowles was pronounced dead at 7:58 a.m. by a justice of the peace.

The driver arrived at about 6:20 a.m. to recover a disabled vehicle. His emergency lights were on and he got out of the tow truck to walk toward the vehicle he was assigned to tow, Miller said.

“He may have been nearly on the line or possibly over the line when he was struck by an oncoming minivan while on westbound I-14 just west of the Nola Ruth bridge,” Miller said.

The impact amputated his right leg below the knee, so he was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation is ongoing by the Harker Heights Police Department Accident Investigation Team, Miller added.

The Scott Bowles Memorial Fund was created Thursday for Bowles’ wife and two children.

The law requires drivers to move out of the lane closest to and emergency or other vehicles with flashing lights when possible, or they must reduce speed to 20 miles per hours below the posted limits. If the driver can’t move over, the driver has to slow down. For speed limits 25 mph or lower, the speed limit is 5 mph. Violators can be fined up to $2,000, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The purpose of the 2003 law was to reduce injuries to police officers, paramedics, ambulance workers, firefighters and other responders. The law was amended in 2011 to add stationary tow trucks to the list of protected emergency vehicles.

Local issues

  Matt Jarma is a tow truck driver for Temple Towing, and showed a Temple Daily Telegram reporter a photo he took while on a service call on a highway frontage road. His truck, which was parked as far as he could get onto the road’s shoulder, was only about 8 inches from the white line dividing the shoulder from the outside lane, the photo showed.

Although many tow trucks can be operated from the passenger side, sometimes that isn’t possible. Plus, the drivers exit through the driver’s side door, which can put them in traffic’s path, Jarma said.

A former driver for one local tow truck company and his truck were hit in Temple in December by an 18-wheeler. Luckily, the truck absorbed most of the blow, Bruce Winkler, a tow truck driver and company owner of Temple Towing, said.

Winkler and Jarma are both disturbed because the public isn’t more aware that tow trucks are included in the law.

“The public doesn’t know a lot about it because no one promotes the law for tow truck drivers,” Jarma said. “Everyone mentions fire, EMS, police and even the Texas Department of Transportation, but not tow trucks.”

The main challenge tow truck drivers face is when vehicles don’t slow down or move over.

One tow truck driver is killed every six days in the United States, according to the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Colorado. 

The Wall of the Fallen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a monument to honor tow truck operators killed in the line of service. It is part of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.

“If you see a set of flashing lights, no matter who it is, move over or slow down,” Winkler said.

  Jarma would like to see Texas do more awareness about the law, he said. Many other states he’s driven in have roadside signs and billboards about the law, and tow trucks are listed on those signs.

State efforts

  TxDOT spokeswoman Jodi Wheatley said the agency has distributed a lot of public information about the law, but the 2013 news release she sent only mentioned TxDOT workers and vehicles stopped with overhead flashing blue or amber lights. Wheatley added that the law is sometimes featured on TxDOT’s work zone safety information and messages on the permanent overhead dynamic design boards. Wheatley referred further questions to agency spokespeople in Austin.

  The TxDOT media relations team in Austin sent the same news release about construction workers and work zones that Wheatley sent.

  Winkler said he would like to see local law enforcement agencies give more tickets to drivers who don’t move over or slow down.

  “A few tickets have been given in this area, but not many,” Winkler said. “I’m hoping that area law enforcement will step up, give out more tickets or at least stop and warn people.”

  The Bell County Sheriff’s Department gave out nine warnings during a six-month period, Maj. T.J. Cruz said Thursday.

Distracted drivers

  No information was available from several other agencies about how many tickets and/or warnings have been given.

A big part of the problem is distracted drivers, Jarma said.

  Winkler said he watches people texting, reading a book, doing their work, fixing their hair and doing their makeup while driving, and he’s even seen police officers talking and texting on their phones or working on their computers.

  Road construction on I-35 has made a big difference, especially in areas north of Temple like Bruceville-Eddy and Troy where there is no shoulder — only barrier walls.

  “The construction makes it tough to get to some calls,” Jarma said.

   Winkler said he’s had close calls and been hit in the back by things flying up from the roadway, like tire rubber and vehicle parts. Many times tow truck drivers are out on the road with no one to protect them.

  “We’re just trying to get the word out — move over or go 20 miles below the posted speed limit,” Winkler said.

“Our lives matter, too”

  Jarma reminded drivers to be more aware of tow trucks.

  “I am a father. I have five beautiful children and a beautiful grandson,” Jarma said. “I want to go home every night. I’m out there on the side of the road and I enjoy helping people. I just want people to move over.”

  “Our lives matter, too,” Jarma said. “Nowadays, we’re at just as much risk as law enforcement.”

  Winkler and Jarma sent their condolences to the Bowles family, the towing company and the drivers of the minivan. “We’re still brothers even though we are competitors,” Winkler said.

Jarma said, “It’s the yellow line. People may think it’s corny and cliché, but we really are part of a brotherhood. I may not know this man, but he’s a brother of mine.”

RESOURCE LINK

 

Michael McGovern said:

"The death of a Central Texas tow truck driver ... serves as a reminder that tow trucks, as emergency response vehicles, are included under the state’s Move Over or Slow Down law."

That statement pretty much summarizes my skepticism of the move-over laws:  They don't PREVENT accidents because most of the violators are impaired and, therefore, don't have the capacity to move over.  The move over laws only show up as REMINDERS after a tragic accident.  Like a "reminder" to not smoke in bed after a house fire kills the resident.  Too late.  In almost every news story about a roadside accident there is a passing comment about how the move-over law was violated.  That doesn't help the victim or his family.  Move-over laws do not save lives.  Only training and safe roadside protocols will prevent injuries and fatalities.

Prayers for driver Scott Bowles and his family.

Michael McGovern, www.towlawyer.com

 

[TowForce]

 

The Texas Department of Transportation will consider including tow trucks in future campaigns about the Move Over or Slow Down law.

The decision came after a Goode Towing recovery driver, 39-year-old Scott Bowles of Killeen, was struck by a minivan Thursday morning on westbound Interstate 14 in Harker Heights while recovering a vehicle and died from his injuries on the way to the hospital.

Matt Jarma, tow truck driver for Temple Towing, said Friday, “I’m glad they’re going to consider it, but considering it is a long way from doing it.”


The investigation into the accident is being handled by the Harker Heights Police Department Accident Investigation Team, Harker Heights Police Sgt. Stephen Miller said.

No information was available Friday on whether or not the minivan driver could face charges in connection with the fatal accident.

“Because the ‘Move Over/Slow Down’ law requires motorists to move over or slow down when they also approach tow trucks with flashing lights, we will consider including them in future educational materials,” the TxDOT media relations office said Friday.

That decision could affect the many news releases TxDOT sends throughout the year to promote and encourage safe and law-abiding driving.

Dealing with Bowles’ death has hit many area drivers and dispatchers hard, Jarma said.

“We are the same as law enforcement or firefighters. When one of us is hurt or killed, we all grieve,” he said.

The Scott Bowles Memorial Fund was created Thursday for Bowles’ wife and two children.

“I don’t know that anyone has paid real attention to it (the law) like we have until yesterday,” Jarma said. “It’s saddening that it had to come to this — that someone had to lose their life for them to think about it. It’s kind of like it’s a ‘too little, too late’ kind of thing.”

The law requires drivers to move from the lane closest to the stopped emergency response vehicle (if there is more than one available lane in the same direction of travel) or slow down to 20 miles below the posted speed limit.

MoveOverLaws.com included a quote from a former TxDOT director of traffic operations, Carol Rawson, in 2012, a year after the law changed in 2011 to include tow truck drivers.

“Last year, the Texas Legislature amended the Move Over/Slow Down law to now require motorists to slow down or move over when passing a tow truck displaying emergency lights,” Lawson said. “At TxDOT, we believe this is an important step toward improving safety for all emergency personnel, including tow truck operators, who routinely work in dangerous conditions along Texas highways.”

Jarma wondered aloud where TxDOT has been since 2011 when the law changed.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything including tow trucks. Maybe it was on flyers or on an ad, or something very small,” Jarma added.

TxDOT periodically activates electronic signs that read, “If Tow Truck Stopped Ahead, Move Over or Slow Down, It’s The Law,” TxDOT spokeswoman Jodi Wheatley said.

Wheatley said in recent weeks that the dynamic message boards made that point, emphasizing that the blue-and-amber light emphasis is the “most concise way to get the message out in a venue with limited space, and it gives drivers an easy way to remember what they need to know.”

RESOURCE LINK

[TowForce]

In Memory of NationalAutow who said:

Nice of them to "consider" including tow trucks.

What possible excuse could you use for NOT including tow trucks?

How about this? Next tow operator to get hurt or killed roadside in Texas, it's on the Texas Department of Transportation.

I am sure the State has some governmental immunity however they should be charged as an accessory the next time an operator is hurt or killed since they refuse to publicly acknowledge the risk and problem and they they apparently have a law to deal with it.

To the operators: BE SAFE - Do NOT take your safety or the safety of your customer for granted. The above is just one more example of who has to look out for whom. You need to assume that NOBODY BUT YOU gives a crap about your safety. YOU are the best thing to prevent senseless injury or death to yourself.

 

TowZone added:

"The Texas Department of Transportation will consider including tow trucks in future campaigns about the Move Over or Slow Down law."

Tow Trucks were included in the law in 2011 and as usual not recognized in the move over-slow down campaign. While the effectiveness of such campaigns can be argued, doing nothing to educate the public of the hazards is far less effective. While changing current drivers habits is very difficult, look at the seat belt usage from a decade ago. These move over - slow down campaigns would be most effective in the schools. A child reminding mom or dad to move over is effective. The problem here is the majority of drivers which have been involved in these instances have been alone in the vehicle. They have been under the influence of Alcohol, Drugs, Texting etc. How does any campaign reach these drivers.

The answer will always be awareness of Tow Truck Operators and other First Responders. Tougher penalties for those who violate the law!

 

[TowForce]

Topic Originally appeared on Tow411 05.17.17

CENTRAL TEXAS (KXXV) - Stephanie Bowles lost her husband of thirteen years, Scott Bowles, last week when he was struck by a passing car.

Scott was walking toward a disabled car he was going to tow when the passing car swerved, hitting him and amputating his leg. He died shortly after.

Bowles has now made a new vow to her husband to advocate for Slow Down or Move Over and possibly save another spouse from the same heartbreak.

"All it takes is a split second and you ruin somebody's entire life. It was a two-second incident that cost my husband his life," Bowles said.

Towing companies from all over the country have been donating to Scott Bowles' GoFundMe page to support his family. 

Fellow tow truck drivers are also taking to social media to speak out about the danger that comes with the job.

Colton Monroe of Copperas Cove says he's been towing for just over seven years. He posted a video on Facebook recently that shows many drivers that weren't following the "Slow Down Move Over" law.

"I just thought it would be a good idea to make the video and try to make it aware to everyone else. Because there were a ton of people who I know that didn't know that was the law. So I decided, 'You know, I have a tow on the side of the road so I am just going to record this and see what happens,'" Monroe said.

Matthew Jarma is a part of the Central Texas tow truck family. He says the day will forever remain in the memories of fellow tow truck drivers.

"When I spoke to my wife later on that day, she sounded kind of somber on the phone which is not like her, and when I asked her what was wrong, she said this just became real. This happened in our backyard," Jarma said.

Jarma also recorded a video of the driver not moving over or slowing down. He wants to remind everyone that he, just like everyone else, has a family to go home to.

RESOURCE LINK with video

[TowForce]

Topic originally created on Tow411 06.17.17

Home News Tow truck driver talks about risks faced on the job (TX)

They are the men and women who arrive after an accident or when a vehicle breaks down on the side of the road. They dodge speeding cars to remove vehicles from busy Central Texas roads.

Being a tow truck driver can be dangerous, especially when vehicles zoom by without moving into another lane — a state law.

The law requires drivers to move from the lane closest to the stopped emergency response vehicle (if there is more than one available lane in the same direction of travel) or slow down to 20 miles below the posted speed limit.

Matt Jarma, a tow truck operator with Temple Towing, recently talked to the Telegram about the dangers that tow truck drivers face daily after the May 11 death of a fellow Central Texas driver, Scott Bowles. Bowles, 39, a driver for Goode Towing, was struck by a minivan on westbound Interstate 14 in Harker Heights while recovering a vehicle. Bowles died from his injuries.

Jarma felt so strongly about the circumstances surrounding Bowles’ death that he built and painted a cross to serve as a memorial for Bowles. It was placed on May 27 in a safe location near where Bowles was struck.

“I just got it in my head that it was something I needed to do,” Jarma said.

A tow truck driver is killed every six days in the United States, according to the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Colorado.

Jarma said he doesn’t take his safety for granted anymore after Bowles’ death. He said that he’s more alert to what’s going on around him and doesn’t assume that drivers are going to move over or slow down — because they don’t, he said.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s advisories about the inclusion of tow trucks as emergency responders emphasized the blue-and-amber lights referenced on the dynamic message boards. TxDOT spokeswoman Jodi Wheatley said that it was the “most concise way” to get the message out in a venue with limited space and gave drivers an easy way to remember what they need to know.

However, tow trucks don’t have blue and amber lights. Their lights are either red and white or red and blue, Jarma pointed out.

Challenges of job

The hardest part of Jarma’s job is responding to fatality accidents where children are involved, he said. The first time he went to one, he cried like a baby. That accident still sticks out in his mind, he said.

“Ninety percent of the time the deceased is gone when we get there, but sometimes they’re still there,” Jarma said.

On the other end of the spectrum, Jarma remembered another call he responded to years ago after an arrest. He went to pick up a vehicle and tow it. When he sat down in the driver’s seat, it was wet because a motorist, arrested for driving while intoxicated, had urinated in it.

Many of his calls are routine, like fender bender accidents. Jarma responded just after 8 a.m. Thursday to a three-vehicle accident with moderate damage. The dispatcher told him which vehicle he was towing, and Jarma quickly got to work. He moved his truck into place in front of the white Ford Taurus that had front end damage, hooked it up to the chains and moved it onto the truck. While there, he helped pick up debris from the collision, put it in a trash can and secured his equipment.

One everything was secured, Jarma was on his way to a repair shop, where he unloaded the car and made sure the financial arrangements were taken care of.

His next assignment was to pick up a car at an apartment complex to take to a shop.

“It’s something different every day,” Jarma said. “It’s fun for me. But the truck doesn’t do all the work, like some people think. Sometimes we have to physically push a car out of a yard or driveway to be able to hook it up.”

The huge chains on the large tow trucks that pick up 18-wheelers each weigh about 60 pounds.

I-35 construction is a headache that tow truck drivers have to endure since it will be around for a while.

“We would hope that your life would pretty much feel in better about two years from now,” Texas Department of Transportation engineer John Habermann said at a May Temple City Council meeting.

“We don’t promise that every message board will be lit, but we’re hoping it will start to feel pretty different.”

Jarma believes that traffic pattern changes cause many of the interstate accidents, in addition to bad pavement conditions like potholes and cracks. The barrier walls and narrow spaces create tight spaces, too, and backed-up traffic makes it hard for all emergency responders to reach an area quickly and safely.

However, driving on the newly finished areas can give a driver a picture of how things will look when the work is completed, he said.

RESOURCE LINK

[TowForce]

Topic originally created on Tow411 09.18.17

Fallen Killeen tow truck driver memorialized in Tennessee

 

A Killeen tow truck driver who was struck and killed while helping a vehicle on the side of the road was honored Saturday by the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Tennessee.

Scott Bowles' name was placed on the memorial wall of fallen truck drivers in the ceremony.

Bowles' family attended the service. Scott's wife, Stephanie Bowles said she's walking away feeling supported. 

"Even though we're competitors and have competitive businesses and have to fight the battle out on the road," Stephanie said in a phone interview. "We all come together as one so we can support each other in times like this."

The family hopes to raise awareness about the "Slow Down, Move Over" law -- which requires drivers to change lanes away from any emergency vehicle and slow down when passing.

RESOURCE LINK

[TowForce]

Topic originally created on Tow411 09.18.17

Rep. Hugh Shine meets with tow operators (TX)

 

To promote 'Slow Down or Move Over' law

BELL COUNTY, TX (KXXV) -
Ever since a tow truck operator was killed while working on the side of a Central Texas highway back in May, his widow and another driver have made it their mission to raise awareness of the law, 'Slow Down or Move Over'. 

Stephanie Bowles, the widow of Scott Bowles and Matthew Jarma met with State Representative Hugh Shine for nearly an hour to discuss ways to promote the 'Slow Down or Move Over' law throughout Central Texas.

"I decided to reach out to Rep. Shine this past Sunday, sent him an email early Sunday morning. I figured I'd get a response sometime this week," Matthew Jarma, a tow operator for Temple Towing, said. 

But less than 30 minutes later, Shine not only replied via email but personally called Jarma and told him he'd be happy to meet with him and Stephanie this week.
"To have somebody here locally that'll be as dedicated to it as we are as operators in getting awareness out there for people to Slow Down and Move Over, and not just for police, EMS and fire... but for tow truck operators and TxDOT, it means a lot," Stephanie Bowles said. 

The three brainstormed for nearly an hour. 

"We can go ahead and start getting some type of legislative language drafted that we can have prepared and ready so we can submit it next legislative session," Rep. Hugh Shine said. 

The group also plans to hold an event with local law enforcement and first responders along the highway next week to show the importance of the 'Slow Down or Move Over' law. Rep. Shine then said he's going to take that video.

"I'm going to make that available to my colleagues in the House and encourage them to do the same thing in their communities."
Rep. Shine is the first government official to speak with Bowles about the law since her husband was killed. 

"If we'd had this meeting in the summer, I would've had this bill drafted and sponsored in the Special Session," Rep. Shine added. 
"We're not just fighting for just one county, we're going statewide to where everybody knows," Bowles added. 

 Matthew Jarma and Stephanie Bowles both agree the meeting was productive. They just wish they would have reached out sooner.
Representative Shine is also looking to meet with the Texas Towing and Storage Association in Austin next week.

RESOURCE LINK

 

rreschan said:

I salute what you're trying to do Stephanie. Look at what Linda Unruh has accomplished in record time after her son Bobby was killed this year. There are plenty of sources for you to go to Stephanie including calling Linda at Al-Rite Towing in New Mexico. Best of luck to you.   R.