![]() ![]() Many say that police are not handing out enough tickets for guilty drivers. Combine this with distracted drivers that are drinking, texting, and checking Facebook – and it spells disaster for emergency workers on the side of the road. Many people still report that they didn’t know that tow trucks and wreckers were included in the “Slow Down, Move Over” law. As you may already know, every six days a tow truck driver loses their life on the roads. The “Slow Down, Move Over” law isn’t helping tow truck drivers as much as they would like it to. However, they will give you the effect you’re looking for. It will wake up distracted drivers while allowing you to remain within the law’s boundaries. At night from a distance, it will give the same effect as having a flashing red and amber light. How does this help you? When you’re on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and your flashing amber lights at the same time. On the rear of your truck mount red turn signals and brake lights next to your amber lights. What if your state will not let you use any color except amber? ![]() For example, Washington State and Oregon allow red and amber lights to be used on wreckers and tow trucks. Drivers report this has been very effective in waking up distracted drivers. On the other hand, some areas are OK with you using rear-facing red lights. Some jurisdictions will just not let you use blue lights…period. Other Texas tow truck drivers quote a study done at Texas A&M that showed amber and red to be the second most effective combination after amber and blue at night. He also said they moved over when he used amber and red. He said the drivers moved over for amber and blue. One tow truck driver from Texas reported on a forum that when he ran multiple light colors it actually worked. What do fellow tow truck drivers report about changing the color of the lights? It will help make highways safer for all road users, and help our roadside responders make it home safely.” Joe Hargrave, the minister for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), said in a press release: “Adding blue lights to these vehicles will alert motorists sooner, providing them ample time to slow to 60 kph while passing. The new Traffic Safety (Tow Trucks) Amendment Act permits blue lights to be used in conjunction with amber lights on tow trucks. Flashing blue and amber lights can now be used on tow trucks in Saskatchewan. It’s not just the States that are passing legislation.On March 24, 2017, New York, Senate Bill S5397 was proposed to authorize tow trucks and roadside service vehicles to use amber and blue lights when such vehicles are engaged in a hazardous roadside operation.At that point, other drivers must yield the right-of-way and immediately move over to the next lane. Tow operators will flash the lights when assisting drivers alongside the road. Lawmakers hope the lights will add visibility and encourage people to move over. In Illinois, they are trying to pass a law that would allow tow truck operators to use red, white, and blue lights on top of the truck, similar to what’s on police cars.Other states are trying to push laws through to legalize this. In Missouri, tow trucks can use red and blue lights in addition to amber.In New Mexico, tow trucks have blue lights.Are you supporting your local state tow truck association in this? Some states are on board already with blue light laws: Now you can see why tow truck associations around the world are lobbying for legislation to allow tow trucks to be equipped with blue flashing lights. This gives distracted drivers more time to see them before there is an accident. More importantly, scientific studies have demonstrated that blue lights are far more visible than any other color. In fact, law enforcement officers are quick to acknowledge that motorists simply don’t respect yellow lights. Most people associate blue flashing lights with the police or a state trooper. They all said they felt different about seeing flashing blue lights. On the other hand, when they saw an orange light we got responses like: The people that saw a blue flashing light said they were on alert. What’s your first reaction? Now, imagine the same scene and this time seeing orange lights. Imagine driving and seeing flashing blue lights ahead. Facebook Tweet LinkedIn Email Print Could the color of the flashing lights on a tow truck save someone’s life?ĭoes color make a difference to you? This is a fascinating question to think about.
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