The most dangerous job: Tow truck driver

An Incident Response Team truck at an incident in Everett.
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Today is the last day of Crash Responders Week, and we want to recognize those at WSDOT, State Patrol and other agencies that respond to crashes.

More than 22 states across the country are part of a coalition honoring the crews who bravely take on these important jobs.

Alarming trends

Honoring first responders is especially important as incidents across the state have increased:

• WSDOT’s Incident Response Team program saw a 40% increase in calls for service between 2024 and 2025. In 2024 it responded to 43,800 incidents and 61,400 in 2025.
• Between January and September 2026, WSP contacted 9,200 drivers for DUI, 32,400 drivers for distracted driving and 93,400 drivers for aggressive driving.
• In the first nine months of 2026, 64 WSP patrol units were struck while conducting traffic enforcement or collision investigations. Nineteen troopers were injured in those collisions.
• On average, between vehicle damage and regular vehicle wear and tear, WSP must replace one patrol unit with a new model every business day of the year.
• According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the fatality rate for tow truck drivers is nearly 15 times higher than that of other jobs.

Move Over, Slow Down

The public can help by following the Move Over Slow Down law. The law is essential for protecting road crews and first responders during emergencies or while they perform critical work on the sides of roadways.

Key points of the law include:

• Drivers must move over one lane, if possible, and slow down when passing emergency crews on highway shoulders.
• If moving over isn’t possible (e.g., due to traffic or single lanes), drivers must still slow to at least 10 mph below the posted speed when passing emergency crews.

More than just law enforcement

The law applies to more than just law enforcement and fire trucks. It includes WSDOT IRT trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, tow trucks, solid waste trucks and utility vehicles displaying flashing lights.

Emergency response can be just as dangerous for those crews who assist first responders. Many tow and recovery workers have experienced collisions or close calls when trying to assist drivers after a collision or dealing with mechanical problems.

“It doesn’t become a matter of if you’re going to be hit, it’s when,” said Northwest Region IRT Supervisor Dennis Smith. “It’s not uncommon for one of our drivers to be struck four, five or six times during their career.”