Tow truck operators have begun a campaign to highlight road safety needs for road users when passing breakdown vehicles. Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do every day. When a vehicle breaks down the danger only increases, according to Pat McEveney, a tow truck driver who has been assisting stranded motorists for 25 years.
“When people are going past you at a fast speed and they’re only two feet away, it’s quite dangerous,” he said. Over the years, several tow truck vehicles have been hit but Mr McEveney feels he’s been lucky. “I myself was hit recently. I’ve had a few other close calls also.” While tow truck drivers employ emergency lights and safety vests, it’s not always enough.
"I was requested to recover a vehicle which had gone off the road on the main N5 Castlebar to Westport road last month. When I arrived at the scene I pulled my truck safely into a layby, put out my recovery signs and warning lights and started to prepare my truck for the recovery. Suddenly I heard screeching of brakes from an oncoming vehicle which had lost control prior to the corner and ran under my truck at speed. Luckily it was not a fatality but 13 seconds prior to the incident I was working where the car got embedded in my truck. Since this incident, after speaking to other recovery operators, something similar has also happened to them in the Sligo, Roscommon and Mayo areas," said McEveney.
He went on to say, "As a group of professionals we would like to see it mandatory for motorists to move over or slow down in the presence of amber flashing lights used by any operator who renders roadside assistance. Laws operate in the United States and Canada, where failure to comply attracts fines of up to $1,000. We are left to save ourselves and the people in these positions; we feel alone and vulnerable out there. We’ve just got to pull up with our flashing lights on and that’s all we’re legally allowed to do. Maybe we need some sort of electronic warning device like a flashing sign that we could put 100 metres up the road to warn traffic that a tow truck is in operation close by,” he said.
He believes part of the onus lies with the driver of the parked vehicle. He recommends simple practices like turning on emergency hazards, pulling over into an approach road if possible and popping open the hood of the vehicle, even if the issue is not related to the motor. He also appealed to users of flashing beacons only to use them when they need to, as otherwise they will lose their effectiveness.
Noel Gibbons, road safety officer, said: "If you see any vehicle that has a flashing light on it, please slow down regardless of the colour of the light, be it an amber flashing light, a red flashing light, a blue flashing light or a combination thereof – for emergency vehicles, ambulance, fire trucks, tow trucks. Any time there’s anything flashing on the side of the road please reduce your speed, drive to the conditions of the road and weather so that you can stop safely in a short distance."
