Deadly crashes with roadside assistance workers increasing

MILLBURY, Mass. - New data from AAA is showing just how dangerous the work can be along local roadways and is now stressing the importance of the state's "Move Over Law."

What You Need To Know

Direnzo Towing & Recovery is based out of Millbury and works with local police departments, including state police, to respond to roadside assistance calls

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found more than 120 tow truck drivers, mobile mechanics, emergency roadside technicians and safety service patrollers were killed while helping motorists at the roadside between 2015 and 2021, with one roadside assistance provider dying every two weeks in 2021

The towing industry loses one operator in the line of duty every six days in the United States, according to the Towing and Recovery Association of America

In Massachusetts, the "Move Over Law," which took effect March 22, 2009, requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane and slow down, if it is safe to do so

Direnzo Towing & Recovery out of Millbury tows for ten different police departments in the area, including the state police. While their drivers said they work in many different locations, a lot of their tows are done on the side of highways where providing assistance can be very dangerous.

“It's tough when you're on the highway, you know, you're only out there two, three, four minutes, maybe, hooking up a car," said John Darowski, a driver with 27 years of experience in the towing industry. "But it's a dangerous thing with cars driving by, going 50, 60 miles an hour, past you.”

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found fatal roadside worker crashes are happening more frequently, and one roadside assistance provider died every two weeks in the year 2021. Darowski said it’s even worse now.

“The Towing in Recovery Association of America reports that on an average there's one tow truck driver killed every six days in the U.S," Darowski said. "That's not counting drivers that are seriously injured or near-misses that happen quite often that don't make the news.”

“When I'm responding to a call, I always have to have my lights on,” Nathan David said.

Nathan David started towing vehicles about five years ago and said there’s certain safety measures every driver takes.

“Whenever I'm a hazard to the road, I've got to keep those lights on," David said. "I always check my surroundings, check my mirrors, make sure nothing's coming as I'm getting out of my truck.”

David said wearing high visibility clothing helps as well, but accidents can happen at anytime.

“I’ve had my most of my close calls have been on clear days because people drive fast on nice clear roads versus rain and stuff they drive slower," he said. "But still, it's dangerous.

"I've had people drive right on the rumble strips that are right on the side of the road. I've had people get really close to sideswiping me and stuff like that when I'm just trying to do my job.”

While speeding, impairment and distraction are likely factors in crashes involving roadside assistance workers, Darowski said sometimes people are just in a rush, so slowing down and moving over can make a huge difference.

“24 hours in a day just doesn't seem enough," Darowski said. "And people are always in a rush to get somewhere, you know, and working long shifts or, you know, everything contributes to drivers getting hit on the side of the highway.”

In Massachusetts and Connecticut, the “Move Over Law” took effect in 2009. It requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to move over a lane and to slow down, if it is safe to do so.

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