Tow Trucks & Roadside Recovery

Tow operators work feet from traffic, often at night and in bad weather. Being struck by a passing vehicle is the leading danger, followed by winch and cable failures and vehicles that roll or shift during loading.

• Tow operators
• Roadside assistance

Traffic: the biggest killer

• Position your truck as a shield between traffic and the work area when you can.
• Use all warning lights, and cones or flares to taper traffic away when time allows.
• Wear high-visibility clothing (ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 is best on highways, day and night).
• Work from the non-traffic side whenever possible. Never turn your back on traffic.
• Plan an escape route in case a vehicle comes at you.
• Move the job to a safer spot (an exit or a wide shoulder) if you can do so safely.

Every state has a move-over law requiring drivers to slow down and change lanes for stopped emergency and service vehicles, and most include tow trucks. See Move-Over Laws.

Winches, cables and chains

• Inspect winch cable, hooks, chains and straps before every use. Replace cable with kinks, broken wires or crushed spots.
• Stay out of the snap-back zone, the area where a broken cable or strap would whip. Never step over a loaded cable.
• Keep at least the maker’s minimum wraps of cable on the drum.
• Pull slowly and steadily; don’t jerk loads.
• Use snatch blocks and rigging rated for the load.

Securing the vehicle

• Customer vehicle in park or gear, with the parking brake set, when possible
• Wheels chocked during hookup
• Flatbed: at least four tie-downs, and the winch line kept on as a backup
• Wheel-lift: safety chains attached; steering secured
• Loose parts and debris removed or secured before moving

Crash scenes

Follow the directions of police and fire crews, wait for the scene to be made safe, and watch for leaking fuel, broken glass and downed lines. Traffic incident management training teaches responders to work together to clear crashes safely.

Last updated: October 2, 2026