Tow Truck, Lights Siren, Code 3, REALLY? Since when?

[Industrial Toys]

Saw this video. 2 hour video that should have been edited down to thirty minutes.

OH SHIFT!!! VERSION 2.!!! ROLLOVER LOAD OF PIPE!!! - YouTube

But found it interesting that the authorities asked the guy to respond Code 3, lights and "continuous" siren, going through red lights. I never heard of such a thing, and this wasn't even for a extrication, hazmat or blocking some major roadway.

 

[ptsg]

Yes, it's a thing in Missouri. They do require the tow trucks to run Code 3 when necessary or when they feel it's necessary.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Wonder if they were just doing this heavy tow operator a favour, for it was obvious they knew him and were quite friendly. But I saw nothing timely about the wreck.

 

[ptsg]

Well, he knows everyone in that state. He is a very nice, respectful guy and pretty much friendly with everyone. I've been checking his videos for quite a while.

It's never a good thing to have an intersection like that halfway closed, so I don't think it was a favor. I've seen him run on Code 3 for other similar situations.

 

[Industrial Toys]

He needs to learn how to edit his video though. I fast forwarded 1.5 hours and still didn't see the rig uprighted, then hit exit by accident and said forget it.

Portugal?

 

[ptsg]

He explains why it takes so long to upright the truck in the video, but I agree, 2 hours is a bit too much though.

Yes Portugal. But I do follow lots of stuff in the US and Canada. I've actually learned a lot on how things work there and so on.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Like there seem to be a million Lebanon's in the U.S. which I always got a chuckle out of, Ithought maybe there was a Portugal somewhere.

 

[ptsg]

It's Portugal in Europe. That small country surrounded by Spain on the East and by the Atlantic on the West.

But we kinda have the same problem, but with Indians and Ukrainians instead.

 

[bcp]

Skip ahead to about 1:26.

Bruce

 

[coldsteelva]

His name is Ron Pratt. He owns and operates Midwest Truck truck repairs and towing. He is on the rotation for the Missouri Highway Patrol and the local jurisdictions. For anyone that hasn't ever been to or through Missouri. It is kind of a big place with large stretches of nothingness.

MO motor vehicle law 'allows' wreckers to have two sets of lighting (standard amber tow and red/blue plus siren), but likely doesn't require it. If you want to be on the call rotation then you likely are required to be able to respond Code 3. When it comes to safety, I'm not sure you can find a safer tow operator. If you want something done FAST with no consideration for safety, Ron isn't your guy.

 

[Alien]

We have volunteers in our Rural Fire Service. Some are a bit.... keen...
One day I saw them come out of the shed with lights blazing etc so watched where he went. Down the road about 100 meters to the fuel pumps! WHAT!? Idiot.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, it's a thing in Missouri. They do require the tow trucks to run Code 3 when necessary or when they feel it's necessary.

Not in my part of Missouri. My Son works for a Tow Company. Their wreckers don't have sirens. They were just allowed to add red/blue lights last year. Up until that time they weren't considered Emergency Vehicles and drivers weren't required to move away from them when passing. Very dangerous business!!!!

 

[ptsg]

Not in my part of Missouri. My Son works for a Tow Company. Their wreckers don't have sirens. They were just allowed to add red/blue lights last year. Up until that time they weren't considered Emergency Vehicles and drivers weren't required to move away from them when passing. Very dangerous business!!!!

At least it is on Scott City apparently. I only know what the guy says in pretty much every video.

But it's indeed a very dangerous business.

Just yesterday, someone lost control of their car in the middle of the highway and run over a Police Officer and a Tow truck operator. Three deaths including the driver the car.

 

[ovrszd]

At least it is on Scott City apparently. I only know what the guy says in pretty much every video.

But it's indeed a very dangerous business.

Just yesterday, someone lost control of their car in the middle of the highway and run over a Police Officer and a Tow truck operator. Three deaths including the driver the car.

In the last 4 years they've had two wreckers totaled by being hit by vehicles on the Interstate hiway they work. Both times they were on the shoulder with all lights flashing. Both times the operator heard the vehicle sliding down the road toward them and were able to jump out of the way. The last one the operator had to jump out onto the active lane of the hiway.

 

[ptsg]

In the last 4 years they've had two wreckers totaled by being hit by vehicles on the Interstate hiway they work. Both times they were on the shoulder with all lights flashing. Both times the operator heard the vehicle sliding down the road toward them and were able to jump out of the way. The last one the operator had to jump out onto the active lane of the hiway.

Unfortunately people keep tailgating everyone while they're still looking at their phones doing who knows what.

These wrecks happens so much that sometimes I just think it would be better to close the entire road and be done with it.

 

[ovrszd]

Unfortunately people keep tailgating everyone while they're still looking at their phones doing who knows what.

These wrecks happens so much that sometimes I just think it would be better to close the entire road and be done with it.

In both cases the driver had an open lane to move into. They both simply drove right into the lights.

Same concept as when vehicles get rearended sitting still on the shoulder with their lights on.

When their two wreckers were hit it still wasn't a State Law that wreckers were Emergency Vehicles. The drivers both got tickets for "Inattentive Driving". The Wrecker Company had to go after them for the costs. In one case the driver didn't have any insurance. In the other case the driver was going home in his brand new Ford Superduty truck. Both drivers had no excuses and simply said they didn't realize the wrecker was sitting still...….

 

[Industrial Toys]

Not a job you want to do with your ear buds in.

I wonder what the Tow operators insurance says about running Code 3, and I wonder if they get training. Getting training in a police car on a skid course and track wouldn't exactly help them with their various rigs.

 

[ovrszd]

Not a job you want to do with your ear buds in.

I wonder what the Tow operators insurance says about running Code 3, and I wonder if they get training. Getting training in a police car on a skid course and track wouldn't exactly help them with their various rigs.

I'll ask for details.

 

[aczlan]

Not a job you want to do with your ear buds in.

I wonder what the Tow operators insurance says about running Code 3, and I wonder if they get training. Getting training in a police car on a skid course and track wouldn't exactly help them with their various rigs.

They probably need to have something like the training that fire truck operators get.

Aaron Z

 

[ovrszd]

They probably need to have something like the training that fire truck operators get.

Aaron Z

Well, I'm guessing Ron Pratt slept thru that class. I base that on 20 seconds into the video when he completely lets go of the steering wheel so he can get a sip of his 7-eleven slurpy…...