June 10, 2011 06:12 AM UTC

Allen Rose Tow Truck Safety Act signed into law

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• by: cologeek

I’m a little late with this, but Tuesday Governor Hickenlooper came down to Colorado Springs and signed into law a new set of statutes regarding the towing industry.  First of all it makes it a class 3 misdemeanor to drive a vehicle that has been tagged for towing by the tow truck operator on scene.  It also requires the tow truck operator to post a sign of at least 8×8 inches on the drivers side window or other appropriate spot when towing an illegally parked vehicle.  And it makes it a class 3 misdemeanor to misuse or remove the sign.

The law also amends the “Move over” law by specifically noting that tow trucks are emergency vehicles and are included in the “move over or slow down for flashing lights” portions of the law.  (We already were included in State statutes as emergency vehicles, but this doesn’t hurt).

I will say that it is gratifying how quickly this moved through the Statehouse.  Senator Morse is to be commended on sponsoring this bill and working hard to get it to the Governor in this session.  And further kudos to the Governor for not only signing (not that anyone thought he wouldn’t) but for making the time to come down here to do so.  This is the sort of consideration that people do appreciate and remember.

In all honesty, I’m not sure that if this law were in place four months ago, it would have made a difference in what happened.  I’m not sure that anything would have made Detra Farries think twice before taking off, but that is my personal opinion from what I have read concerning this case.  It’s not impossible that it will make someone think twice in the future.