SPOKANE, Wash. – As Thanksgiving celebrations begin, the Washington State Patrol and Idaho State Police are emphasizing the importance of driving sober and avoiding distractions.
They are urging drivers to put down their cell phones and focus on the road.
Tow truck companies in Spokane are preparing for what they expect to be a busy period.
A record-breaking 71 million people are expected to be driving across the U.S. this week.
Joe Arlt, tow truck manager at Divine’s Towing, highlighted the challenges faced during holiday travel.
“The flow of traffic can get up there during the holidays and if there’s slick roads and stuff, it can be busy,” he said.
In Idaho, over 300 crashes occurred during the Thanksgiving holiday last year, many resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
“One of the owner’s kids got hit by a drunk driver this last year and killed,” Arlt said.
Tow truck drivers face significant risks on the road.
Arlt emphasized, “At any moment someone could lose control, hit us, hit the person that we’re towing.”
According to AAA, 123 roadside workers were killed between 2015 and 2021, despite laws requiring drivers to move over or slow down, in some states, when they see flashing lights.
Kelle Masterson, the lead dispatcher at Big Jim’s Towing, noted, “I see them respect it more with officers, and firefighters, and ambulance, but with tow truck drivers, some people sometimes are even frustrated at them and almost putting them in more danger.”
Masterson urged drivers, “If you’re drinking, call somebody for a ride and if you are driving and you see somebody on the side of the road with lights, please, please, please move over. If you can’t move over slow down.”
For those caught driving under the influence, costs can quickly add up. Expect to pay between $100 and $1,000 to get a car out of impoundment, plus additional expenses for bond, court fees, and other associated costs.
