New Tow Truck Law In Colorado
Recently, a bill was signed into law because of a tow truck accident in Colorado Springs. Allen Rose was killed in February after getting tangled in cable when the driver of an SUV he was towing drove away.
The first part of the Allen Rose Tow Truck Safety Act was proposed by Springs resident Mike Baier. It makes it a crime to get behind the wheel of a car being towed, and requires tow truck drivers to post a large sticker on the vehicle with a warning.
The second piece of the law was brought forth by Springs tow truck driver Ron Archuleta, manager of Absolute Towing.
"When motorists see a tow truck on the side of the road with it's lights flashing, they'll be required to pull over to the next lane to give us a safety barrier," Archuleta explained. It's same requirement a driver has when passing a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
"I've had cars whiz past me like many other tow truck drivers," Archulata said. "It gets scary."
Archuleta said, after Rose was killed, he started thinking about ways to keep tow truck drivers safer. He took his idea to Sen. John Morse.
"Tow truck drivers, we run around dirty and in t-shirts, but to be able to talk to the senator, to get an idea out and now see it become law—it's a great feeling," Archuleta said.
Archuleta and Baier were there as Governor John Hickenlooper signed the bill, along with the widow of Allen Rose.
"I feel glad that Allen's widow gets to see this happen and see what happened to (Allen) wasn't in vain. That something good came out of it," said Archuleta.
Gov. Hickenlooper will sign the Allen Rose Tow Truck Safety Act at UC Colorado Springs at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday.
The law took effect July 1, 2011. Click here to read the legislation (PDF file).
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If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck, motorcycle or car accident contact James Munafo and Associates for a free consultation regarding your rights.