Getting stuck on the road is one of the worst things that could happen to you. In such a situation, your most viable option would be to call a tow truck service. Here are a few things that you should know about tow truck services and what they can do.

Tow Trucks Are Emergency Vehicles

In some states, towing and other recovery vehicles appear in the Move Over laws as emergency vehicles. Consequently, other motorists that come across them should give them the right of way. This ensures they attend to emergencies promptly.

Some of the emergencies that tow truck services attend to include a vehicle breakdown on the highway or a vehicle that is a threat to traffic. Tow trucks are also called to remove vehicles involved in serious accidents. An emergency may also entail roadside assistance. This includes tire changes, a replacement battery, and fuel deliveries.

Some Cars Cannot Be Towed

A tow truck driver might arrive on site only to discover that they cannot tow your car. This can be because the car is too heavy to be towed or too damaged to be hooked up. Under such circumstances, the towing company may opt to order a flatbed to transport the car. 

The other alternative is to tow the car four wheels down. This means drugging the vehicle on its wheels without turning on the engine. The four-wheels-down option is suited for vehicles that are not severely damaged.

Laws Applicable to Tow Trucks

The laws that apply to tow truck drivers are different from ordinary vehicles. Tow truck drivers are expected to have a commercial driving license, take a written exam, and go through in-person training. Additionally, OSHA has regulations for tow truck drivers operating rigging equipment.

For example, OSHA requires that the rigging equipment have permanently affixed markings that show the manufacturer's recommended working load. Furthermore, tow trucks should be inspected before going to the road. This means before every shift, a tow truck should pass a vehicle inspection.

If the vehicle is defective in any way, it should be removed from service. Lastly, a tow truck should not lift more than the manufacturer's safe working load requirements. 

All hooks that do not have manufacturer recommendations should be tested to twice the intended safe working load. The tow truck company should have a record of these tests if they need to prove the truck's condition during incidents or accidents.

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