Tow truck driver calls on motorists to slow down after close call with semi

A tow truck operator is pleading with motorists to slow down after he had a very close call with a semi.

Slavko Hardi, owner of Hardi Towing out of Battleford, was towing a vehicle from the ditch on Highway 16 near Denholm — about 30 kilometres from North Battleford — on Monday.

“I was at the controls winching this truck out when I saw this semi coming towards me and he was losing control so I just ran for cover,” Hardi said.

He said it was a scary situation and something tow truck drivers have to deal with much too often.

“It happens every day,” he said. “And it’s getting worse, I think.”

He’s pleading with motorists to slow down when passing emergency vehicles.

“We have amber lights and blue lights on the tow truck, so there’s no reason not to see (us),” Hardi said. “I even had the four-way flashers on because the truck was on an angle on the highway.”

In Saskatchewan, it is the law to slow to 60 km/hr when passing emergency vehicles.

“Slow down if you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road. It’s there for a reason. If one guy is in the ditch already, then you don’t want to be the next,” said Hardi.

The RCMP says the semi driver will not be charged; he hit a patch of ice causing him to slide into the tow truck.