When You See a Tow Truck on the Side of the Road Do these 3 Things for Everyone’s Safety

Tow trucks are one of the overlooked heroes of the road. Saving stranded drivers from virtually anywhere they find themselves, there are fewer better sights than a tow truck for anyone stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down vehicle.

Yet not everyone appreciates tow trucks and their drivers, especially when encountering them on the road. This is understandable, as nobody likes to get stuck behind a large, slow-moving vehicle on the highway, but more care should always be taken when you see a tow truck on the road.

This is even more so the case when the tow truck is in the middle of towing. When seeing a tow truck stopped at the side of the road, be sure to do the following three things to ensure everyone – including you – remains safe:

1. Slow Down

It’s an obvious safety precaution but one that’s worth repeating – slow down anytime you see a tow truck on the side of the road. This should apply to every type of roadside emergency vehicle, as the drivers may be out on the road securing or inspecting the broken-down vehicle.

This isn’t just for safety measures though, it’s just decent common courtesy. Tow truck drivers have a rough enough time as it is, so they don’t need to be fearing for their lives from unsafe drivers speeding down roads.

2. Switch Lanes

Again, it’s an obvious precaution to take, yet not everyone does it as soon as they can. Switching to the opposite side of the road – traffic permitting – ensures you don’t risk striking the tow truck or a roadside driver.

This should be easy enough to do if you are driving slowly enough, and even if the traffic doesn’t make it easy to switch, try to do your best to navigate past the tow truck with as much space as possible.

The last thing you want is to accidentally clip a vehicle or tow truck, so always try to switch lanes when possible!

3. Focus and Remain Calm

If you have your eyes always focused on the road and your surroundings, it’s easy to spot a tow truck at the side of the road and give yourself enough time to react. Safe driving is always recommended at any time, but this should be even more pertinent when you see a stationary tow truck ahead.

Calm heads prevail, so if you don’t panic and take the time to drive carefully, everyone should remain safe.