Topic: Aggressive Tow Truck Drivers

[Hooked on Cars]

Two Truck drivers drive very aggressive breaking all the traffic rules to get to the accident scene to tow damaged cars. The sad part is I see so many close calls these drivers have with other cars just to get there.  I think the cops should start cracking down on these tow truck drivers.  I hate to see some other innocent driver getting into accident with tow truck- just because these guys want to make money of others misfortune.

[johngenx]

We have a big problem with gravel truck drivers.  They drive like lunatics in large, heavy vehicles.  A couple years ago, we had a rash of collisions including a series of fatalities where gravel trucks ran red lights, rear ended cars, and so on.  They seemed to calm down a little after a ton of bad press, but today, fearing a gravel truck is a smart driving move in the Edmonton area.

[tpl]

We had one of those gravel truck crashes some years back in TO, too fast on an expressway ramp. Straight through the lights, across the road ( 4 lanes) over a 6-8' high berm, through a fence and straight through the brick wall of a house.  No one hurt which was a miracle in itself.  IIRC the driver "claimed" the brakes failed.

As for tow trucks.  yep see them  speeding, weaving through traffic, using the shoulders to pass all that stuff.

[aaronk]

About 6 months ago they installed a new set of lights in a major trucking thoroughfare on my way home from work - I guess they don't like stopping for reds, already one fatal crash there involving a transport truck. I realize they can't stop as fast, I wonder what the solution is here? Longer yellows in common trucking areas?

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Several years ago I was waiting in traffic (due to an accident) on Brimley Rd. going northbound, just south of Finch Ave. E., a tow truck driver jumped curb and drove northbound on the sidewalk and almost ran down some pedestrians who literally had to jump out of the way. Thankfully a cop was there to catch the moron as the tow truck was going to the accident scene and the police just happened to be there.

Sometimes there's a cop when you need one.

[dr_spock]

We had one of those gravel truck crashes some years back in TO, too fast on an expressway ramp. Straight through the lights, across the road ( 4 lanes) over a 6-8' high berm, through a fence and straight through the brick wall of a house.  No one hurt which was a miracle in itself.  IIRC the driver "claimed" the brakes failed.

As for tow trucks.  yep see them  speeding, weaving through traffic, using the shoulders to pass all that stuff.

Was that the one off the 404 Steeles exit into a house in the Steeles Ave.?   There was a fatality, the woman in the house doing laundry was killed.   They've built a 12ft or higher hill of dirt in front those town homes after that.   

[spender]

That's Toronto for you!