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Southwestern Ontario’s towing industry is feeling a mix of disappointment and anguish following the fatal hit-and-run of one on Canada’s busiest highway.
Some say Wednesday’s death, in which an operator pulled over to the side of the 401 outside Woodstock, Ont. to help a stranded motorist, is proof that drivers’ attitudes need to change.
“Any time something like this happens, it’s devastating to our industry,” said Gary Vandenheuvel, president of the Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO).
“It’s a small industry and we all know each other in one way or another. It’s always a concern because everyone knows it could be one of us, any day.”
The crash that occurred around 7 a.m. in Oxford County is still under investigation as police search for the vehicle and driver involved.
While that search continues, Vandenheuvel said tow truck operators are well aware of the risks involved in working on the sides of highways and city streets, and say drivers are not giving them room to do their jobs safely.
He’s been running a family towing business in Sarnia for the past 34 years and says he’s been through too many tough times.
“It happens too much. We see it regularly. [across North America]”Whether it’s on a local city street or a major highway, people don’t respect us, and it’s the law, slow down and move over.”
The Road Traffic Act has clear requirements regarding driver behavior near emergency vehicles and tow trucks. Part of those requirements is the legal obligation to reduce speed and, if possible, pull over for trucks.
Fines for disobeying can be up to $4,000, three demerit points, six months in jail and a license suspension for up to two years.
“I think the fines and penalties need to start getting much more severe… and the consequences definitely need to be applied more broadly,” Vandeheuvel said.
London trader Dwayne Cameron agrees with that sentiment. He said he was devastated to learn of the fatal accident and has almost been a victim of careless drivers several times on the road.
“There is not enough law enforcement and something needs to be done,” Cameron said.
Afternoon walk6:51Tow truck driver helping stranded motorist dies
A tow truck driver was struck and killed while helping a motorist east of Woodstock. Gary Vanderheuval, president of the professional towing association, shares his experience on the dangers of being on the road and what drivers should pay more attention to.
He pointed to a strategy employed by some police departments in the United States where tow trucks are set up along the side of a road with police waiting nearby to catch people who don’t move, as a possible model for police here.
“It’s really bad these days and it’s getting worse. I would say, in my experience, not even half the people on the roads are moving these days,” Cameron said.
He believes governments and police have a role to play in enforcing the rules, but says the most important factor is the attitude of drivers. They are often distracted, impatient, or simply don’t know to step aside.
Changing those attitudes is something that Cameron and Vandenehuvel say will likely require educational campaigns and a lot of time.
“It’s just common sense. When there’s a human being standing on the side of the road who has a family and needs to get home, take the time to do it,” Vandenheuvel said.
