Listen to this article
Approximately 4 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
Southwestern Ontario's towing industry is feeling a mixture of disappointment and grief after one was fatally struck on Canada's busiest highway.
Some say the death occurred Wednesday when the operator stopped on the side of Highway 401 near Woodstock, Ont. To help a stranded motorist, this is proof that drivers' attitudes must change.
“Any time something like this happens, it’s devastating to our industry,” said Gary Vandenheuvel, president of the Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO).
“It's a small industry and we all know each other one way or another. It's always a concern because everyone knows that on any given day it could be one of us.”
The accident happened around 7 a.m. in Oxford County. Police have identified the suspect vehicle as a blue commercial tractor-trailer with a black tarp on top and are searching for the driver.
While that search continues, Vandenheuvel said tow truck operators are well aware of the risks associated with working on highway sides and city streets and say drivers don't give them the space to do their jobs safely.
He's run his family's towing business in Sarnia for the past 34 years and says he's had too many dangerous situations.
“This happens too often. We see it regularly. [across North America]”,” Vandenheuvel said. “Whether on a local city street or on a major highway, people don't give us respect – and it's the law to slow down and move forward.”
The Road Traffic Act has clear requirements when it comes to driver behavior around ambulances and tow trucks. Part of these requirements is a legal obligation to slow down and, if possible, give way to trucks.
Fines for failure to comply can be up to $4,000, three demerit points, six months in jail and a license suspension of up to two years.
“I think the fines and penalties should be much more severe … and the consequences should definitely be more widely implemented,” Vandeheuvel said.
London cameraman Dwayne Cameron agrees with this opinion. He said he was devastated to learn of the fatal crash and had nearly fallen victim to careless drivers on the road several times.
“There is not enough enforcement and something needs to be done,” Cameron said.
Afternoon trip6:51Tow truck driver dies while helping stranded motorist
A tow truck driver was struck and killed while helping a motorist east of Woodstock. Gary Vanderhewal, president of the professional towing association, shares his experiences about road hazards and what drivers should be more aware of.
He pointed to a strategy used by some police departments in the United States, where tow trucks are stationed along the sides of highways and police wait nearby to catch people who don't move, as a possible example for police here.
“It's very bad now and it's getting worse. In my experience, I'd say not even half the people on the roads are moving these days,” Cameron said.
He believes governments and police have a role to play in enforcing the rules, but he says the most important factor is the attitude of drivers. They are often distracted, impatient, or simply don't know when to step away.
Changing such attitudes, Cameron and Vandeneheuvel say, will likely require educational campaigns and a lot of time.
“It's just common sense. When there's a person on the side of the road who has a family and needs to get home, take the time to move away,” Vandenheuvel said.
