Towed vehicle in fatal smash
Discussion
If the article is to be believed he swerved first, which broke the link to the AA van (presumably a rigid tow bar?) - why would he do that? Was he having a heart attack before the smash?
There must be some long faces at the AA today, with their van right in the pictures and name-dropped multiple times through the article - doesn't sound like there was any wrong on their part, but it's not nice to be associated with.
There must be some long faces at the AA today, with their van right in the pictures and name-dropped multiple times through the article - doesn't sound like there was any wrong on their part, but it's not nice to be associated with.
Haven't read he specifics of this, but there is an important point with modern cars on an a frame, draw bar or tow rope, that is that most, in fact nearly all cars would not engage the steering lock until the key was pulled out. This is not the case any more, i see plenty of vehicles at mmy workshop that will engage the steering lock simply by moving the key fully to the off position - which in my humble opinion is lunacy beyond belief!
Ive used these rigid bars in the past and they can be a bit 'dodgy' if the towing hitch on the van is in the centre, and the zafria tow point is off to the side then the bar will be at an angle, any braking force by the AA van will not be transferred 'up ' the bar. but more across it, this strain could be enough to snap it, With the zafira not having its engine running the brakes will not be as effective, also it would probably have taken the 'towee' by surprise.
Its a sad series of events. that unfortunately claimed a life. Im not saying the AA are to blame in any way, but hopefully they will change the way a vehicle is towed on the road so a more 'failsafe' method.
Its a sad series of events. that unfortunately claimed a life. Im not saying the AA are to blame in any way, but hopefully they will change the way a vehicle is towed on the road so a more 'failsafe' method.
Seems likely. I was towed in an Espace on one of these bars a few years ago. While all driver are not the same I suspect the AA drivers are trained to be slow and steady for this activity.
I was terrified as the car was displaying steering lock fault. Had no real faith that it was not going to choose to lock the wheel at will....
I was terrified as the car was displaying steering lock fault. Had no real faith that it was not going to choose to lock the wheel at will....
I was towed in the exact same manner nigh on 40 miles recently and like a Zafira, my car's towing eye is offset to the driver's side. So as has been said, when the bar is offset like that then it can cause the car to pull to the left under load. Even at a steady speed I was having to maintain a pretty noticeable righthand force to remain directly behind the AA wagon. Soon as the forward pull was reduced, ie when braking or even lifting off, you need to be failry alert to then reduce the amount of force on the steering to the right to stay in line or else you'd veer right. Countersteering left just as the van pulled forward again, thus the car is pulled left again by the offset bar could I suppsoe catch somebody out and cause the car to veer off... plus I can see why somebody who is inexperienced could perhaps over-react and could get in effect a bit of a tank slapper going.
Te AA patrol that helped me was quite specific before we even set off and asked if I'd be towed before and I knew what to expect. He also stopped after 2 miles to make sure I was happy. I was fine but not sure I'd be too happy about Mrs Davie being towed like that as it can be quite unerving if you don't know what to expect and how to countersteer and compensate for the off centre forces.
Also, quite odd damage to the Zafira, not much on the front bumber - looks liek the imapct was centre on the windscreen/ Was it on it's side when the car then hit it? Up the bank, flipped on to it's side and the oncoming car hit hit bang on the roofline?
Tragic and also pretty horrific for the patrol. I wonder if their toweing policy will be changed now?
Edit: Ignore this, just clocked the reason for the incident.
Te AA patrol that helped me was quite specific before we even set off and asked if I'd be towed before and I knew what to expect. He also stopped after 2 miles to make sure I was happy. I was fine but not sure I'd be too happy about Mrs Davie being towed like that as it can be quite unerving if you don't know what to expect and how to countersteer and compensate for the off centre forces.
Also, quite odd damage to the Zafira, not much on the front bumber - looks liek the imapct was centre on the windscreen/ Was it on it's side when the car then hit it? Up the bank, flipped on to it's side and the oncoming car hit hit bang on the roofline?
Tragic and also pretty horrific for the patrol. I wonder if their toweing policy will be changed now?
Edit: Ignore this, just clocked the reason for the incident.
Edited by Davie on Thursday 3rd October 19:43
Worth mentioning that the RAC pioneered the use of the "Fast Response" breakdown van where they use a trolley trailer to lift the front wheels of the towed vehicle letting the driver sit up front in the tow van when there is only one occupant. Either that, or a proper flatbed towtruck is better. I can see the AA having to change their towing policy.
In this case it is not likely it would have saved the unfortunate driver, because of the heart attack, but it would have prevented the accident and the involvement of the other 3rd party who suffered some injuries.
I feel sorry for the AA guy - even though he isn't to blame. Not something you want to happen on your shift.
In this case it is not likely it would have saved the unfortunate driver, because of the heart attack, but it would have prevented the accident and the involvement of the other 3rd party who suffered some injuries.
I feel sorry for the AA guy - even though he isn't to blame. Not something you want to happen on your shift.
ukmike2000 said:
Worth mentioning that the RAC pioneered the use of the "Fast Response" breakdown van where they use a trolley trailer to lift the front wheels of the towed vehicle letting the driver sit up front in the tow van when there is only one occupant. Either that, or a proper flatbed towtruck is better. I can see the AA having to change their towing policy.
In this case it is not likely it would have saved the unfortunate driver, because of the heart attack, but it would have prevented the accident and the involvement of the other 3rd party who suffered some injuries.
I feel sorry for the AA guy - even though he isn't to blame. Not something you want to happen on your shift.
AA have them too.In this case it is not likely it would have saved the unfortunate driver, because of the heart attack, but it would have prevented the accident and the involvement of the other 3rd party who suffered some injuries.
I feel sorry for the AA guy - even though he isn't to blame. Not something you want to happen on your shift.
it's very simple really, a professional recovery operation should use equipment that places no risk upon the occupants of the car, if the car is to be towed loaded.
Rigid bars have their uses in extreme circumstances. I have been towed on a rigid bar behind a Police Range Rover Classic in a coach weighing fourteen tons or so, with passengers from Hyde Park Corner lights when they needed my broken down vehicle out of the way pronto on the queens birthday. The guy knew what he was doing and all was fine. The Range Rover of course did the job with ease.
But, a rigid bar is a pretty dangerous tool in the hands of a less capable driver on either end of the bar. Either A frame the thing or lift it, any other way is potentialy unsafe. people being recovered often get very scared and lose capability.
Rigid bars have their uses in extreme circumstances. I have been towed on a rigid bar behind a Police Range Rover Classic in a coach weighing fourteen tons or so, with passengers from Hyde Park Corner lights when they needed my broken down vehicle out of the way pronto on the queens birthday. The guy knew what he was doing and all was fine. The Range Rover of course did the job with ease.
But, a rigid bar is a pretty dangerous tool in the hands of a less capable driver on either end of the bar. Either A frame the thing or lift it, any other way is potentialy unsafe. people being recovered often get very scared and lose capability.
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