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Challenges Faced by Tow Truck Drivers

There is a steady growth in the towing business due to the current increase in automobiles and vehicles on the roads. Assistance in towing recovery has become a requirement as a result of busy roads and heavy traffic. However, precaution should be observed by the towing operators because there are high risks of hazards and dangers which they should strive to avoid. Towing can be a very dangerous work if precaution is not observed. Some of the important precautions that should be put into consideration are explained below.

Road Navigation

Professional knowledge and skills are required to drive a vehicle with a trailer or load pulling behind. Skills only in driving are not enough for safe navigation on the roads. There is more danger in the presence of roaming animals, slippery roads, debris, potholes or floods. To deal with such hazards, tow truck drivers should be adequately aware and prepared for such scenarios and environments.

Poor road and weather conditions

Driving on the road is significantly affected by the weather conditions. Poor weather hampers vehicle control, vision and navigation. A vehicle driver finds it difficult to drive in poor weather, but this cannot be compared to a towing driver, driving a towing vehicle with another towing vehicle.

Fatigue

To carry out roadside assistance such as to drive a tow truck is physically demanding. In a situation where the tow truck driver worked for long hours throughout that day, he will be fatigued at some point in time. Fatigue indirectly causes the driver to face hazards, accidents and other physical health related challenges.

Poor drivers

Some of the important skills that tow operators should have include; driving tow trucks with discipline, professional skills, alertness, they should have the ability to keenly watch out in case of other reckless drivers who could pose danger. As much as the elements of discipline and skills directly come from the tow truck drivers, it is no guarantee that the other road side users may possess similar virtues. However, lesser risks are expected in roads with lesser traffic compared to the congested roads. Reckless drivers may run over the towing operators on duty or knock the tow truck from the rear; therefore, the tow truck drivers swerve off the lane. Not all the car drivers know about State of California law on towing, knowing about these laws can be great for the car drivers.

The overview

In this article, you will find useful information about towing laws in California on private property. The article also provides some answers if you think that you have ever been a victim of predatory towing. California has towing rules which prevent wrongful towing. The towing companies are supposed to know the law but this is not always the case. Some bad companies and their employees are not well trained on this and they are the ones which bring out violations.

When a vehicle is towed

California law on towing

A vehicle can be towed if

• Block an entrance to a property or an exit.
• It is found in a disabled or handicapped parking lot.
• If the car is parked in a fire lane. No vehicle is allowed to park at this lane at all and if found is liable to immediate towing.
• Found within a fire hydrant recommendations which is usually 15 feet.

One hour towing

If a property offers a free parking and a vehicle is found parked wrongly for one hour, the vehicle can be towed.  This law applies to stores and restaurants which are privately owned and does not charge for the parking. For instance, if the parking sign says that the parking is for customers only, you can only be towed after an hour. If the vehicle gets towed before one hour ends, the penalty will include the towing and the storage fees.

24 hour towing

If you park on a paid parking space, your vehicle can only be towed after 24 hour and this is after the parking fee has expired.  For example, if you pay a parking at 2 pm, you can only be towed the next day the same time.

Towing from a private property requirements

The California towing law on private property gives different situations where the vehicle can be legally towed on a private property.

Presence of signs barring parking

By far this is the most common case covering apartments, restaurants, and stores. If a vehicle is found on such places and the signs are clear, then the vehicle can be towed.

If private properties indicate a sign barring public parking, the signage must have the following information;

• The sign must in a plain view
• The sign must have the correct dimensions 17 by 22 inches
• The lettering must be 1 inch high and should state the following

* Parking for public is prohibited

*telephone number for the local police

*vehicles towed at the owner’s expense

Looking for more information read more about three California towing laws for car owners that you should know when you are looking to hire a towing company.