'Message isn't getting out': Texas tow truck drivers ask for caution during holiday travel
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As AAA and other entities anticipate higher numbers of holiday travels every season, tow truck operators are worried about a different statistic: the number of roadside workers killed.
Geoff Nienstedt, a tow operator himself and a board member of Southwest Tow Operators - which is Texas' tow truck drivers association - said 39 roadside workers were struck by drivers this year. That includes all kinds of groups that work roadside, including tow operators, first responders, mobile mechanics and roadside techs.
"We're going to be out there working throughout the holidays, Christmas Eve, Christmas, when everybody's at home enjoying football and stuff, we're going to be out there working," he said. "We ask you one thing, when you do see emergency lights activated on the side of the road, please move over or slow down."
Each state has some version of the "Move Over, Slow Down," law, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but each individual state decides the specifics.
The Texas Department of Transportation states drivers need to either put a lane between themselves and roadside workers or reduce their speed to 20 miles below the posted speed limit when passing first responders, tow trucks, TxDOT vehicles or other emergency vehicles.
State law changes that went into effect brought about harsher punishments, including fines up to $1,250 for first-time offenders who don't reduce their speed or move over. If you crash into someone and cause any serious injuries, you can face jail time and up to a $4,000 fine, according to TxDOT.
"Our goal is to make Patrick real to people, that this was a person of great wisdom and value and someone who was deeply loved," his wife previously told KXAN.
Additionally, Neinstedt addressed a case that wrapped up this month in Michigan where he said an 18-year-old driver received two years of probation for hitting and killing a 25-year-old tow operator.
"You can't expect somebody to get the third degree on a first offense," he said. "I understand our justice system, but our message isn't getting out... We're working right now on getting together a federal guideline for the slow down, move over law that can be handed down to the states."