Reply To: Driver jailed for killing RAC worker at roadside

[Steve Shinnick]

I agree with David’s family, the sentence should have been much harsher. Indeed I find it almost insulting to the deceased’s family that the defendant who will undoubtedly serve considerably less time than the 2 year sentence.

It’s time the industry re-evaluates ‘Roadside Assistance’. The casualty vehicle should be moved to a safe working area before any repair is attempted. In this case no doubt David would have had his vehicle’s rotating flashing beacon on and possibly hazard warning lights, regrettably to no avail.

Many of these accidents can be avoided. I have served as chairman of the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators Ltd (AVRO). The Association was founded in 1977 and represents vehicle recovery operators throughout the whole of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

The recovery industry has embarked on a ‘Slowdown and Move Over’ campaign. This initiative originated in the United States and was introduced to help protect Highway Patrol officers and was quickly adopted by the American towing industry.

It has proved to be largely ineffective as drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impaired vision, using their mobile phones or suffering tiredness etc. are clearly incapable of slowing down and moving over.

Prior to its privatisation, the Highways Agency introduced a radar system which is mounted on the back of a vehicle. If an approaching vehicle enters a collision course with the fend-off vehicle the equipment gives an audible warning giving the operatives around 6 to 7 seconds to get out of harm’s way.

This could be just as easy to develop for the recovery industry allowing for varying scenarios where for example the recovery vehicle is in front of the casualty vehicle etc. Consequently, I will forward a copy of this Garage Wire to the current AVRO chairman asking him to evaluate my proposal.