Officials Release Warning Video: Lexus RX Hits Flatbed Tow Truck, Does Full Barrel Roll in the Air
Admit it, you have thought about hitting a ramp truck before. You know, the flatbed tow trucks that literally turn into a ramp. I can hardly pass by one in action without fantasizing about sending it. That said, when one Florida driver actually did it, it became slightly less cool. A Lexus RX driver accidentally drifted into the shoulder of the left lane where the flatbed was and, after hitting the truck, did a full barrel roll in the air before landing.
Tow trucks/wreckers and @MyFDOT Road Rangers need you to slow down, MOVE OVER, and keep emergency/service personnel safe as they work.
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) January 27, 2023
Thank you, @WESH, for showing why following the Move Over law is imperative and how failing to do so can be deadly.
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What is “Move Over Month?”
While one of Florida’s few traffic laws might seem related to this story, it is. In light of Florida’s “Move Over Month,” – a campaign focused on getting Florida drivers to move into an adjacent lane of traffic when an emergency vehicle is parked on the side of the road. If that isn’t possible, then drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 mph or less, drivers must reduce speed to 5 mph.
With that in mind, local area officials released this wild video of a Lexus RX hitting a flatbed while it was trying to load an immobilized car. Officials released this video to explain why it’s so important to move over when emergency vehicles are present.
These vehicles, like tow trucks or ambulances, are often bigger than normal vehicles, and their work requires space. Not to mention the vulnerability of the people often involved or in need of these services.
Can you ramp off a flatbed tow truck?
Clearly, you can. CarScoops mentions that the crash in this video happened around two years ago. The Lexus RX casually drifts onto the shoulder, obliterating a row of road cones. The real show starts when the Lexus hits the ramp. To quell any worry, the driver and bystanders were all relatively unharmed. That said, the results of the crash are satisfyingly exactly what you might expect. The Lexus hits the “ramp” and does a full barrel roll in the air. Onlookers claim the Lexus RX cleared over 500 ft from start to finish.
Moving over keeps everyone safe
Horrifying numbers of police officers, EMTs, tow truck drivers, and construction workers are struck and killed every year on the side of the road.
While it may not be a law, it’s good practice to move over no matter what is parked on the the side of the road. You may notice that when trackers pass others trucks stopped on the side of the highway, they nearly almost always merge away from the parked vehicle. This is both for safety and courtesy. If you’ve ever been parked on the highway, the force of a passing car going 70+ mph can be alarming. Now imagine that all day long.
The more we all start to consider other drivers on the road, the safer and more enjoyable driving will be. This stuff isn’t complicated or confusing. Making a safe and courteous driving decision only takes a moment of care and common sense.
