Member Outreach and Update – Summer 2025

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To the members of the PTA,

Happy middle, almost end, of summer to you all. Hopefully you are all taking the necessary precautions in the hot weather we have been having. Remember to stay hydrated!

Your association has been very busy since our last communication. The biggest thing that has happened was the release of the latest FR 6-2 from the Pennsylvania State Police. It is effective as of June 16, 2025. If you have not received a copy of it, members can log on to the Pennsylvania Towing Association’s website and click on the members only section for the latest version. The biggest change for the towers is that it is no longer required to have a small tow truck in order to do light duty towing. You must have 2 pieces of equipment that can do light duty, but it can now be 2 rollbacks. All of your personnel who respond to PSP calls must be approved by PSP. So make sure you submit all employees, including 1099 people, to PSP when doing your updates to them. Also, if you have a website, you must post your rates on your website. Other changes made refer mainly to the PSP disciplinary procedures.

Board members Shane Staley, Wayne McDade and myself went to Harrisburg to meet with David Buono and other staff members of the Insurance Commissioner’s office. We made our case for getting paid under property damage liability. We feel like we got our point across. But like anything in Harrisburg, the process for change is very slow. We will keep working on it.

There are several pieces of legislation that have been or will be introduced that we are watching. Senator Picozzi introduced SB779 which puts penalties to Act 110 of 2012. He is from Philadelphia and his goal is to stop wreck chasing. When we met with him, we told him that there are laws in place now that are not being enforced, and this law will not really change that. While we do not oppose consequences for not following the law, we do object to it being made part of Title 13, the criminal code, instead of Title 75. We all know how one disgruntled customer can make life miserable and this would give them another route to go to discredit a reputable company. It has passed the Senate and was sent to the House Judiciary Committee. So far it is sitting in committee and has not been introduced as a house bill. We will let you know if and when a house bill number is assigned to this and then ask that you please contact your representative and ask them to oppose making this part of Chapter 13.

Another piece of legislation that we are watching is a proposed bill by Rep. Greg Scott requiring tow trucks to have a minimum of $750,000 worth of liability insurance. We oppose this based on the fact that it specifically targets the towing industry. We also informed him that having a DOT number or a PUC number (which you all should have) already has insurance requirements that the legitimate towing companies abide by. This has not been introduced yet, but we will let you know if and when it is.

These meetings were all a result of the work of members of the board and our partnership with Shaeffer Government Affairs (SGA), our lobbying firm. This was a big step for the board to hire SGA, but it is a step that has opened doors to us to have face to face meetings with the people who affect our industry. (Contributions to the expenses for this are always welcome.)

The November 13th board meeting is our general meeting where all members are invited to attend. The meeting will be held at Duke’s Riverside Bar & Grille, 313 S Front St, Wormleysburg PA from 12 to 3 pm. If you are planning on attending, please email gwen@nullstowing.com to reserve your spot. Also, if you would like to become a member of the board, submit your resume and why you would like to be a part of the board to gwen@nullstowing.com as well. We will be electing one new board member at that meeting.

Thank you for your support as we fight for the towing industry in Pennsylvania!
Gwen Null

Lighting 101 for Pennsylvania Tow Operators
By Brian J. Riker

PennDOT has recently requested law enforcement to give more attention to enforcement of the Vehicle Code as related to lighting, especially around misuse of flashing or revolving yellow and white lights, such as those used on tow trucks and road service/mobile mechanic vehicles.

The intent of yellow, white and blue lights is to communicate about a hazard ahead, providing communication to other motorists long before their visual acuity will allow them to understand what is happening ahead. The problem is, with the rampant misuse of these colored lights by many vehicle operators, not just tow truck drivers (although we do our fair share of misuse), the public has become desensitized to these lights making them ineffective.

The regulations in Pennsylvania are not as clear as they could be, and within the City of Philadelphia, they do not care what the State Vehicle Code calls for, they want amber lights used whenever wheels are on the ground. So please make sure you investigate the local ordinances, rules and regulations for the municipalities that you service.

PA Vehicle Code reads as below:
§ 4572.1. Flashing or revolving lights on tow trucks.
(a) Colored lights.—
(1) Subject to subsection (b), tow trucks may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving yellow lights and one or more flashing or revolving white lights. The manner in which the light or lights shall be displayed shall be determined by regulation of the department.
(2) Subject to subsection (b.1), tow trucks may be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving yellow lights and one or more flashing or revolving blue lights. The blue lights shall only be equipped in the rear of the vehicle.
(b) Limitations on white lights.—The flashing or revolving yellow and white lights under subsection (a)(1) on tow trucks shall be activated only when the vehicle is actively performing the type of work which is the basis of the designation of the vehicle as an authorized vehicle or is within the vicinity of an emergency response area. Tow trucks shall not operate with activated flashing or revolving yellow and white lights under subsection (a)(1) when:
(1) Not engaged in the act of towing a vehicle.
(2) Brake lights, turn signals and operating lights are visible from the rear and not obstructed.
(3) The vehicle being towed does not trail behind the tow truck and is securely positioned on the flatbed of the tow truck with no parts of the towed vehicle overhanging.
(b.1) Limitations on blue lights.—A tow truck may only operate with blue lights under subsection (a)(2) while the tow truck is stationary on the side of the road or highway while responding to a disabled vehicle. A tow truck shall not operate with blue lights under subsection (a)(2) at any time while the tow truck is in motion.
(c) Penalty.—Unauthorized use of the lights specified in this subsection shall be a summary offense punishable by a fine of $50.

(Oct. 19, 2018, P.L.547, No.83, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.2156, No.157, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment. Section 2 of Act 157 provided that all regulations and parts of regulations are abrogated to the extent of any inconsistency with the provisions of Act 157.

Where the most confusion for towers is found is in subsection (b), where it appears that yellow and white lights can be activated when engaged in the act of towing a vehicle with the wheels on the ground. However, if you read it closely, (b)(2) excludes use of flashing yellow and white lights when brake lights, turn signals and operating lights are visible from the rear and not obstructed. This is construed to mean, when you have your extension lights (tow/tag/drag—whatever you call them) properly installed and functioning, the use of yellow or white flashing or revolving lights is not permitted.

The concept is simple: reduce the unnecessary use of these lights to help highlight when there is an actual emergency that requires additional attention, and caution, from the motoring public.

Now, the above is not to say that a tow truck never needs its warning lights activated when in motion. If you are creating a hazard to traffic, such as going much slower than the flow of traffic or the load is projecting or off-tracking enough to encroach on the adjacent lanes, then yes, it would be appropriate to be in motion with yellow warning lights activated. The same can be said if you are moving a vehicle combination that requires a special hauling permit—if the permit conditions call for such warning lights, then by all means, use them.

Ultimately, the goal is to provide just the right amount of advanced warning to the other roadway users of a unique situation requiring their attention. Less is often more, especially with lighting, and your lighting use should be adjusted for the weather and visibility conditions so as to prevent blinding, distracting, or otherwise contributing to the other motorist’s distraction or inability to clearly navigate the scene.

It is a best practice to have your lights user-controllable via multiple switches, allowing the driver to activate only the amount of lighting needed for each specific situation. For example, on rollback carriers, there is no need to have the lower rear-facing work lights activated when loading a vehicle on the deck, as these will blind the approaching motorists unnecessarily, especially as you are tilting the deck to finish loading.

The same can be said for forward-facing lights on a limited access highway, and all the extra strobes and marker light flash kits. While these may look cool in a show, they are not appropriate for use at roadside as they are very distracting and can be blinding.

Think about it— you can spot a fire truck, ambulance or police vehicle for a long distance away, yet tow trucks often are indistinguishable from other work trucks at the same distance. Why? Because of lighting standards related to placement, color, pattern and design that are used by most fire, EMS and police departments nationwide. They help contribute to the ease of recognizing an emergency vehicle for what it is, in the same way that school bus yellow paint helps us instantly recognize a vehicle with school children, and the associated precautions that come with being near a school bus.

Bottom line: use your warning lights in a professional manner and only when necessary. Less is truly more when it comes to emergency lighting. Consider instead a variable message board, directional arrow, or warning signs placed along the roadway. These are often much more effective than a million flashing lights in some random pattern.

Proper Footwear: A Step Toward Safety in the Towing Industry
PTA Safety Committee

In the towing industry, safety begins from the ground up—literally. One often-overlooked aspect of a tow operator’s gear is their footwear. The right shoes can make all the difference when working in unpredictable roadside environments.

Why Footwear Matters
Tow operators frequently work in hazardous conditions: uneven terrain, wet or icy pavement, debris-strewn shoulders, and around heavy equipment. In these situations, footwear is not just about comfort—it’s about protection and stability. Improper footwear increases the risk of slips, trips, falls, and even serious injuries.

What Not to Wear
Open-toe shoes, slides, and flip flops have no place on the job. They offer no protection against dropped tools, sharp objects, or hot surfaces, and they provide little to no traction. Wearing them on duty is an accident waiting to happen.

Choosing the Right Footwear
While steel toe boots are not required for towing operations, choose a shoe that provides:

  • Ankle support – to prevent sprains on uneven surfaces

  • Proper lacing – to keep shoes secure during movement

  • Good tread – for grip in wet or oily conditions

  • Comfort – to reduce fatigue during long shifts

These factors ensure operators can work safely and efficiently without compromising comfort.

The Bottom Line
Tow operators encounter a wide range of situations, from navigating ditches to handling heavy vehicles. Proper footwear isn’t just a recommendation—it’s an essential part of staying safe on the job.

“Cliff Notes” Version of the Minutes from the PTA Board Meeting – July 24, 2025

The July 24th meeting was held virtually and called to order by President Gwen Null. Upon approval of the minutes, it was discussed and decided to post highlights from the meeting on the PTA website so all members can see what the board is working on.

President’s Report (Gwen Null): Updates on meetings with legislators regarding towing issues. Shane Staley, Wayne McDade, and Gwen Null spent a day in Harrisburg attending meetings arranged by our lobbyists, SGA.

  • Meeting with David Buono (Insurance Dept.): Discussed payment under property damage liability; requested directive similar to Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.

  • Meeting with Senator Joe Picozzi: Introduced legislation to combat wreck chasing. PTA opposed criminal code placement; emphasized enforcement of existing laws.

  • Meeting with Rep. Greg Scott: Considering bill requiring $750k minimum liability insurance for tow trucks. PTA opposed as targeting industry unfairly; highlighted existing DOT/PUC requirements.

FR 6-2 Update: Reviewed changes including PSP approval for all personnel (including temps), mandatory website rate posting, no longer requiring a small tow truck for light duty (two rollbacks acceptable), and rotational dispatching by municipality. Subcontractors’ billing clarified. Concerns raised about “due process” for no contact orders—Major Krol responded that removal occurs only after a hearing.

Executive Director’s Report (Karin Willis): Link to Wall of the Fallen will be added to website.

Legislative Director’s Report (Brian Riker): TRAA leadership transition to Bruce Bender (Ohio). North Carolina passed law allowing cargo transfer without bond—PTA monitoring to prevent spread to PA.

Committee Reports:

  • Safety Committee – Recommend company policies for EV handling; will share NHTSA best practices link.

  • Small Games of Chance – Goal set for September 1st launch.

Old Business:

  • Member outreach calls by Todd Peifer—next focus on non-members.

  • Agreed PTA needs attorney on retainer; hired James Halligan of Siana Law (recommended by Steve Luongo).

  • Lancaster County Hazmat now covered by Lebanon County. Concerns about towers not being recognized as clean-up contractors under EPA rules.

  • Gwen announced that Karin will resign as Executive Director at year-end; search for replacement underway.

Meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: November 13, 2025 at Duke’s, 313 Front Street, Wormleysburg PA at 12:00 noon.

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