Blue Lights and Burgers event slated for Wednesday, July 7 at Martensville A&W; offers opportunity to talk to emergency responders
A provincial law allowing tow trucks to display blue lights when responding to a roadside emergency has “definitely” made things safer for operators, according to Jackie Klotz with the Roadside Responders Association of Saskatchewan (RRAS).
“But the side of the highway, is still a dangerous place,” said Klotz. “Not every driver knows they need to slow down to 60 kilometers per hour when passing emergency vehicles.
“We’re hoping that as we continue to keep this issue in front of the public, more people will understand why it’s so important.”
In 2017, the provincial government passed a law that permitted tow trucks to use blue lights. The law was passed following the death earlier that year of tow truck driver Courtney Schaefer of Esterhazy, who was killed while responding to a roadside emergency during a blizzard.
Since 2017, a series of rallies by emergency responders have been held across Saskatchewan every March on the anniversary of Schaefer’s death. The rallies include tow trucks, fire vehicles and ambulances. Those dramatic night-time rallies are now augmented by family-oriented social events in the summer aimed at providing the public a chance to talk directly to emergency responders.
A ‘Blue Lights and Burgers’ event is slated for the Martensville A&W parking lot on Wednesday, July 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“This is an evening for all emergency responders, including tow truck drivers, firefighters, EMS personnel and police to get together and have an evening to speak with our peers and the public,” said Klotz. “We held a similar event last year at the A&W and the public loved it.”
Klotz said ‘Blue Lights and Burgers’ events are slated to take place in a number of communities around the province, including Rosthern and Warman, later this summer.
“This is the first of many,” said Klotz. “Different towing companies will be hosting it .”
Klotz said this year the RRAS will be unveiling a new memorial to fallen operators and emergency responders. Modelled on an initiative that tours across the United States to draw attention to that country’s ‘Move Over’ laws, the ‘Spirit Ride’ memorial was built in Saskatchewan and is transported on the rear deck of a tow truck.
“We obtained permission from the folks in the States who originated the ‘Spirit Ride’ to use the name,” said Klotz. “We borrowed the idea from them. They were more than happy to see the concept cross the border. Safety is a huge concern in the US for emergency responders as well.”
Brad Stratychuk,RRAS President and owner of Brad’s Towing in Saskatoon, said prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tow truck driver was killed every six days, on average, in North America.
Over the past year, that average has fallen to one every eight or nine days, but only because there’s been less traffic. The risks to tow truck operators and emergency responders is still very real, said Stratychuk.
“I’ve been hit twice in the 38 years I’ve been in this business,” he said. “When you’re working on the side of the road, you have to be very aware of what’s going on around you, and be prepared.”
Stratychuk said with the summer holiday traffic, there will be an increase in the number of vehicles of all types, including RVs, stopped on the roadside.
“Slow down and pull into the other lane if you see a vehicle on the shoulder,” said Stratychuk. “If someone is changing a tire, they’re vulnerable. Play it safe.”
Stratychuk said the public is gradually becoming more aware of the need to slow down, but it could take a generation or more to change people’s habits.
“It took about that long for seat belt use to become widely accepted,” he said. “Even after they were made mandatory.”