A bill aiming to protect and improve safety for tow truck drivers is in the early stages of development. Kentucky House Bill 115 would allow tow trucks to be equipped with one or more flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights, which are currently only permitted on law enforcement and emergency vehicles.
House Representative Richard White, sponsor of the bill, said it will also outline stipulations for when the blue lights can be used.
“They can use a blue light when they are removing a vehicle or debris from the highway, but it prohibits from using the blue lights while towing a vehicle on the highway,” said White. “Only while they are stationary.”
White said the motivation for the bill came after the tragic death of a local Morehead tow truck driver last year.
“Well, we had a gentleman Troy Caldwell who was hit by a semi while working a wreck scene in Bath County in September,” said White. “A lot of tow companies, wrecker companies got behind Bubba Johnson out of Carter County to push for a bill”
He added that local EMS and the sheriff’s office support the bill. If it’s passed it could go into effect as soon as July 1.