A dangerous collision of a local tow truck on Highway 16 has highlighted the need for motorists to slow down passing vehicles with flashing lights. (submitted photo/Slavko Hardi)

By Josh Ryan

Slow down

Battleford tow truck incident sparks importance of highway safety

Jan 21, 2021 | 5:42 PM

As temperatures continue to fluctuate in Saskatchewan, leading to less than ideal road conditions, one tow truck driver’s harrowing experience highlights the need to slow down on icy highways.

On Monday, Slavko Hardi, the owner and operator of Hardi Towing in Battleford, was in the process of towing a vehicle out of the ditch on Highway 16 about 30 kilometres outside North Battleford, when he noticed a semi-truck starting to veer side to side.

“I saw this truck coming from way ahead that was starting to lose control,” Hardi said. “I didn’t want to wait and see what’s going to happen and ran into the ditch. Sure enough, the truck hit my truck, lucky it didn’t spin too much out of control.”

Hardi said he’s felt relief in the days since having survived the incident, noting that the end result could have been much worse.

“If I was on the wrong side of the truck or not paying attention, who knows what could have happened,” he said. “The truck is replaceable, but if something happens to you, your family suffers.”

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(submitted photo/Slavko Hardi)

The images Hardi shared on his Facebook page have garnered attention from both residents and members of the media.

He said drivers need to slow down when passing tow trucks and emergency vehicles that have lights flashing, which are a very clear visible sign for at least a kilometre, such as in Hardi’s incident on Monday. However, it’s even more important to slow down to start when highway conditions are suspect.

“You’re not the only one on the road. Slow down and make it home anyway, instead of hitting the ditch or getting someone hurt,” he said. “If you don’t see the lights on the highway, I don’t even know what we need to do to make it safer for us.”

Hardi is waiting for an appraisal on his vehicle that was hit by the semi. While the incident is unfortunate, he said he’s happy his story has generated discussion and hopes it will result in changed attitudes amongst motorists.

“Lots of people paid attention to this story, so I hope it helps a little bit,” Hardi said. “But you can’t reach everybody, you have to keep preaching to people that they’re doing a bad thing driving fast when approaching an emergency vehicle.”

Consequences for speeding

Tyler McMurchy, SGI media relations manager, said this incident is a perfect example of how important it is to drive cautiously with bad road conditions, but also to slow down when passing vehicles with flashing lights. In his experience of ride along’s, he noticed it’s very common that people don’t slow down, despite seeing flashing lights.

“If you talk to anyone who’s worked in the towing industry, they will all have a story of either a collision or a near miss,” he said.

McMurchy said there aren’t stats available of how many times this type of incident occurs, although he noted in 2019 there were 60 collisions involving emergency services vehicles in various forms. Saskatchewan traffic laws state drivers must slow down to 60 kilometres per hour when passing tow trucks, police vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances that have flashing lights on the side of the highway.

“That applies to if you’re going in the same direction on a divided highway or either direction on a highway that’s not divided,” McMurchy said.

The fines for not slowing down upon seeing flashing lights are significant. Traveling 80 km/h (20 over the limit) comes with a $310 ticket and $570 for 100 km/h (40 over the limit). Both infractions also come with three demerit points.

Regardless of the penalties, McMurchy said the safety of those in a vulnerable position is paramount.

“They’re out there to help make our roads safer in some way and it’s really important we give them the room and respect they need,” he said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports