Tow truck drivers pleading for drivers to follow 'Scott's Law' - FOX Illinois
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCCU) — After a tow truck driver was killed earlier in March, other tow truck drivers are asking drivers to be more vigilant and careful on the roadway.
Ross Booker, 20, was cleaning up an accident scene back on March 5 when he was struck by a vehicle with a 16-year-old driver behind the wheel.
Booker later passed away at the Carle foundation Hospital.
The driver was issued a Scott's Law citation.
Tow truck operators tell us that Scott's Law violators are a common problem when they're working accidents.
"There is definitely not enough talk about wrecker drivers and Scott's Law, and wrecker drivers being along the highway to be just as important as police and fireman," said towing driver Taylor Feldkamp.
Feldkamp said he has been a tow truck driver all his life, and said that violations have been an issue as far back as he can remember.
"It 110% makes a difference," said Feldkamp on how the extra space makes a difference. "When we are on the highway and have traffic control set up and you have a whole lane shut down, you just feel you can work a lot better mentally and physically."
Scott's Law mandates a driver to slow down and pull into the furthest lane away from an emergency or maintenance vehicle that has its hazard lights on.
"Learning about pulling over and slowing down,' said Feldkamp. "Drivers ed, you have all the things in the DMV, why do you not have that in the DMV besides that you need to slow down and move over, they don't really push that."
He said he wants to see a bigger emphasis on it with young drivers.
The big change he and others are hoping for is for driver to be able to notice their vehicles better.
He said most people only stop and slow down for red and blue lights.
"You slam on the brakes mostly and move over and slow down, even if you have your phone in your hand, your phone is on the floor board, you are 10 and 2 and paying attention," said Feldkamp on how drivers react to seeing police pulled over. "But when you see orange and white, you don't see that at all."
The push for blue and red lights on tow trucks is something many states have pushed for before, with only a few like Missouri actually implementing.
"You can get out of the car and be 110% safe. All it take is for someone else's mistake to not slow down and pull over," said Feldkamp.
source: https://foxillinois.com/news/local/tow-truck-drivers-pleading-for-drivers-to-follow-scotts-law
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