Let's talk about one of my favorite subjects; towing and recovery. From 2001 to 2007, towing events nationwide have increased from 8.91% of road failures to 31.65% of road failures. This calculation is compiled using a weighted average of the top 16 causes of road failures from FleetNet's database.

The exponential increase in this category, while accident percentages appear to have stabilized, is due mainly to other causes.

I will try to explain why and what your company should do to prevent or minimize these increasingly costly incidents.

As everyone knows, the electronically controlled engines of today in addition to the electronically monitored components, sensors, duty cycles, etc. does not only notify the drivers of real-time or potential failures but disables the entire unit thus blocking the possible abuse or preeminent failure. This is a good thing relative to high cost component failure, but it also tends to increase towing so the problems, or fault codes can be identified and rectified properly. 2010 engines and those beyond that are engineered for EPA compliance must have systems that require strategic monitoring and maintenance otherwise they may render your drivers inoperative and out of service on the side of the road. The methodology for prevention of these electronic shut-downs is squarely aimed at proper preventative, scheduled, and diagnostic maintenance. This obviously is not always the answer, but the best one available today.

Added to the electronic phenomena is the issue of non-consensual towing. The TMC (Technology and Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Association) is presently, and has in the past, addressed these "ransom" or "hostage" recoveries and is working hard to present a white paper and proposed towing company statutory rules to the American Trucking Association hierarchy, who shall bless this process. Beyond this blessing, the TMC will be asking ATA to push the rules for towing companies to all states in hopes of compliance on an individual state by state process.

You can access the TMC RP 527A for guidelines established several years ago or visit the present task force yourself in Raleigh, N.C., on September 14, 2009 from 1 - 2 P.M.
I am presiding over this task force and solicit any and all subjective input.