Distracted Driving a Problem in British Columbia

texting-while-drivingIt’s a story familiar in many jurisdictions – a disproportionate number of accidents are caused by the least experienced drivers on the road, and their accidents are worse, with more than the average number resulting in a serious injury or a fatality. 6.6 percent of British Columbia drivers are under 20 years of age, but they account for 14 percent of road accidents. Often, the problem is that inexperienced drivers find themselves distracted – they text or talk on the phone, eat, or even apply makeup while driving.

The province of British Columbia is tackling the problem with serious restrictions to the Graduated Licensing program that they have in effect.

Under the provinces GLP, drivers first get their L (Learners) license. They must drive only with the supervision of an experienced supervisor for a period of at least a year, before they can take a road test and graduate to their N (Novice) license. N drivers are subject to limitations, including a zero blood alcohol limit and no use of electronic equipment, even it it’s hands-free. They must maintain a safe driving record for two years before they can take another road test for their full license.

Infractions of the ban on electronic devices during the L and N periods of licensing carry heavy consequences, including applying 3 penalty points to their license, which triggers a review. They will also have to restart the 24-month Novice period.

Since Dr. Hook provides emergency roadside service, we see a lot of accidents, many caused by distracted driving. It is great that provinces across Canada taking the measures necessary to educate drivers about the hazards of distracted driving.

Contact Us! For 24 hour tow truck service or roadside service, call Dr. Hook at (204) 956-4665 or Toll Free 1-800-561-4665.

Alberta’s Got a Brand New Traffic Safety Plan

Alberta Traffic Safety PlanPhoto by Tallgirl / CC BY 2.5

Back in 2007, Alberta became a pioneer in Canadian traffic safety planning. By becoming the first province to outline a formal traffic safety plan, the province was able to reduce traffic fatalities by 32 percent over a four-year period.  By all accounts, it was a success.

In 2015, Alberta is proudly unveiling the successor to the original plan, the Traffic Safety Plan 2015.  This new plan includes provisions for:

Safer roads that are designed, engineered, maintained, and operated for improved safety.  New technology comes along all the time.  Alberta is planning to put the best innovations to work immediately.

Safer drivers who are skilled and competent, alert, and comply with the law.  Training and enforcement mean safer travelling for everyone.

Safer vehicles that provide maximum protection.  Accidents happen, but design and maintenance of cars can mitigate injuries.

Alberta’s Traffic Safety Plan is ambitious, making implementation of an effective speed management plan, promotion of safer vehicles, increasing the use of seat belts and child safety seats, deterring impaired driving, and improving road infrastructure.

In order to bring this plan to fruition, the Alberta government is collaborating with police and other traffic safety partners through enforcement, education, communication, community engagement, as well as road infrastructure and engineering improvements.

At Dr. Hook Towing, we see firsthand what happens when road safety efforts fail.  We applaud the Alberta government and it’s partners for the success of their first Traffic Safety Plan, and wish them nothing but the best in this current revision.

For towing services and roadside assistance, call Dr. Hook.  We’re available 24 hours a day at (204) 956-4665 or Toll Free 1-800-561-4665.

Slow Down and Move Over

SpedometerRecently the RCMP and CAA Manitoba set up a mock incident on Hwy 1 where an emergency vehicle was at the side of the road assisting a motorist.

The tow truck was pulled over near St. Francois Xavier at the side of the Trans-Canada Highway, set to assist a stalled vehicle. 316 vehicles had driven past the incident. Almost all vehicles failed to slow down and “move over,” an offense that would include a $300 ticket and 2 demerits.

Drivers must slow down to 40 km/h when the posted speed limit is less than 79 km/h. You need to slow down to 60 km/h when the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher. Motorists are required to also move to a traffic lane farthest from the emergency vehicle if possible.

Some important areas of the assessment included:
– Nearly 11% of drivers observed did not move over at all
– 83% of the drivers observed did move over to the next lane, but of those, only 1% slowed down to 60 km/h
– One motorcycle passing the scene was not moved over and travelling 123 km/h
– One semi failing to slow down and move over was doing 107 km/h
– The average speed of those who did move over but did not slow down was 101 km/h
– The average speed of those who did not move over was 98 km/h

Although no tickets were issued, this mock incident is a reminder that Manitobans are failing to obey this law. This is the type of risk our workers face each day on the roads. Please respect the safety of our tow truck operators and slow down and move over.

Contact us at Dr. Hook Towing

Tow Truck and Wrecker Service for Manitoba Highways

Wrecker Service

At Dr. Hook Towing, we have the best equipment, trained WreckMaster certified staff as well along with helpful personnel. Our team makes sure your heavy-duty towing needs are met so that you can be back on the road within no time.  We are a family company and are committed to helping fleets and owner operators by building long-term relationships. If you are faced in an accident or breakdown, you can rely on Dr. Hook Towing to be your heavy duty towing provider.

We provide service throughout Manitoba since some areas have limited accessibility to heavy-duty recovery services. If you’re your needs extends outside of the province, we offer long-distance towing and recovery within Canada and in the United States.

All highways and roads are serviced such as:

  • Highway to USA (75)
  • Highway to the North (6)
  • Manitoba Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway)
  • Trans Canada Highway 1 (Manitoba Highway 1, Manitoba PTH 1, Trunk Highway 1)
  • Provincial Trunk Highways (PTH 100 and PTH 101)

Our fleet of ten 3-axle hydraulic wreckers can lift 1, 2 and 5 ton vehicles including semi-trucks, trailers, RV’s, motor coaches, vans and buses. As well we can also provide Air Cushion Recovery for overturned tractor/trailers, vans or tankers. This method is ideal for trailers that are hauling sensitive or fragile cargo.

Our heavy duty services include:

  • Tractor & trailer towing
  • Decking and un-decking (bunking & un-bunking)
  • Lifting of sunken trailers
  • Motor Coach & RV towing local & long distance
  • Air Cushion Recovery, tractor service
  • Emergency and Scheduled service, direct dispatch 24 / 7
  • Insurance and accident towing & recovery, itemized invoicing
  • Up to 1,000,000 lbs. of winching
  • All services provided with “certified” operators and fully “insured” units

Our services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your trucks or trailers require heavy duty recovery or if you are in need any of our other services, contact Dr. Hook Towing.

The Dr. Hook difference: Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Program

Dr. Hook Towing

Whatever the case may be when out driving – you may require roadside assistance, car breaking down, getting a flat tire, running out of gas or locking your keys in your car; imagine feeling at ease, knowing that Dr. Hook Towing will be available and ready to assist you. We ensure that you are taken care of and help get you back on your journey. The Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Program was implemented to let our customers know we are here to service you and that we value your commitment to our company.

Why should you become a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member?

1. Membership is 100% free
There is no annual fee if you are Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member and no fee is required when you sign up. Unlike other Roadside Assistance Programs, our fees are extremely reasonable and you only pay us when you require our services.

1. You receive first priority
At Dr. Hook Towing, we believe in building strong relationships with our customers. For our loyal customers, as a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance member, you will receive first priority whenever you contact us. As well, having your information on file allows for quicker response time. Imagine prepaying for a membership and hearing a recording advising you that the wait time is 8 to 16 hours for boosting or 2 days for towing? With Dr. Hook Towing, we are usually at your location within an hour of your call and will always speak to a representative directly.

How can you sign up?
The process is easy. All you need to do to become a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member is fill out our online form or give us a call at (204) 956-4665 or toll free 1-800-561-4665. There is no fee to for being a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member and your membership never expires. If you have questions please Contact Us.

Vancouver may change towing policies

There is a high chance that Vancouver will change towing policies. Those affected will be people with the habit of not paying their parking tickets even if they have paid their fines.

With the current policy, a vehicle is towed if there are three parking tickets that are unpaid and are assigned to its licence plate. This is done if it is found at a meter that has expired.

With the proposed policy, a vehicle will be towed even if the fines for the previous unpaid tickets have been paid. The number of the tickets, whether paid or unpaid is also likely to be changed or increased. This is meant to curb those with a tendency of not paying parking fees irrespective of whether they have paid the fines that have been imposed on them or not. Therefore, if the policy comes into effect, a vehicle found parked at a meter that has expired will be towed regardless of whether the driver has paid previous fines. It is not yet determined the number of tickets a vehicle would have in total for it to be towed. According to the director of city streets Taryn Scollard, the number of tickets could be a given such as five or seven for a span of two years.  The policy is at the early stages and the analysis of similar application by other municipalities has not been done.

The intended change of policy is not about generating more money, but as a way of ensuring that people are following rules. Parking tickets are meant to help people change their behaviour and comply with the set rules. The city has seen a reduction of parking tickets issued over the past three years from 2012, and the new intended policy is meant to reduce that figure even further.

If you require Roadside Assistance, call Dr. Hook Towing. We offer emergency and scheduled service with direct dispatch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Roadside assistance for fleets and owner operators

Semi Truck

At Dr. Hook Towing, we understand the stress Canadian truck drivers face when stranded on the road.  That is why we make sure that our services are immediate. We take about one hour or less to respond to an emergency by being on site, and about two hours to put back the equipment on the road. Sometimes the response can take longer due to circumstances that cannot be controlled such as road closures, road accidents and weather. However, it may take longer to respond to a situation in rural areas.

Our heavy duty recovery and towing division can handle different recovery situations such as rolled over or damaged rigs. Our fleet of ten 3-axle hydraulic wreckers can handle up to 75 tons of lifting. This allows us to lift 1, 2 and 5 ton vehicles including semi-trucks, trailers, RV’s, motor coaches, vans and buses. If your tractor/trailer, van or tanker has been overturned or needs up righting we can provide Air Cushion Recovery. We will be fully prepared and equipped depending on the type of situation. Air Cushion recovery is ideal to prevent further damage and loss to your cargo.  Also, to ensure each job is done safely and efficiently, all our staff is required to go through the WreckMaster Certification Program. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Hook Towing is your recovery expert.

Dr. Hook Towing aims to deliver the best service in the event of a breakdown for local or long distance recovery. Whether you are on Highway 1, Highway 6 or Highway 75, we are there to provide service throughout Canada and in the US.  When you call Dr. Hook Towing, you will always be connected directly to dispatch and will never be transferred to an automated machine.  We aim to build long-term relationships with our customers and are happy to be a qualified service provider for roadside assistance to fleets and owner operators.

Toronto’s out-of province licence plates

Toronto HighwayToronto is planning to impose tough measures on vehicles that have licence plates that do not belong to the province and are repeat offenders of violating parking rules. Toronto Mayor John Tory wants to expand his zero tolerance approach to the fight against gridlock to include the vehicles whose licence plates are out of province.

The Mayor announced the policy, which began on February 2, 2015 as part of his crusade of reducing traffic congestion. The policy allows the city to tow vehicles that have out of town licence plates and are repeat offenders of violating parking rules.

Before the policy came into effect, Toronto did not have many options for enforcing the parking rules on vehicles with registration from a different province. With the policy in effect, the city can now tow vehicles that have not paid up to three tickets and can collect towing and impounding fees.

This will ensure that there is decongestion in the city by getting rid of those who have a tendency of not paying parking fees. The city will also generate revenues from the towing. The fees imposed are meant to discourage failure of paying parking fees. According to Anthony Fabrizi, manager of parking ticket operations in Toronto, there are a total of 120,000 tickets that are issued to licence plates belonging outside the province every year.

For all your Roadside Assistance needs or if you require a Recovery Expert call Dr. Hook Towing in Manitoba.

Driving on Canadian Highways

Road closuresDriving on Canadian highways has proven to be challenging due to the elements of weather. This winter created icy conditions on the road such as in the case in Sicamous, British Columbia. There were also massive snowfalls that occurred in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The icy condition in Sicamous, BC. on the Trans Canada Highway had caused fatal accidents and highway closures. The accidents were mainly due to poor road conditions and over speeding by drivers. The solution provided for fixing this problem is the upgrading of the highway. Before that can happen, the use of speed limit signs that are electronic were being advocated so that potential car accidents could be avoided.

The snowfall in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick made driving in those areas a nightmare. The areas that experienced snowfalls were up to 60 centimeters. New Brunswick had experienced near zero visibility. Tow trucks were on the scene, driving on the highway was extremely difficult and some routes were being closed because of blowing snow. Warnings were made not to travel on some parts of the Trans Canada highway.

The Nova Scotia area of highway 104 had not been left behind, with a section of the road being closed due to poor visibility with blowing snow. The area that has largely been affected comprises the Cobequid pass between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

All this shows that driving on the Canadian Highways includes facing challenges especially on the areas that have been affected by icy conditions and blowing snow. Thankfully, with warmer temperatures up ahead, let’s hope this is now all behind us.

Call Dr. Hook Towing if you need Roadside Assistance or a Recovery Expert.