MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Those Tow Truck and Emergency Services hooligans

By

Dear Editor

In the past month, towing companies and private ambulance services have ‘come under fire’ from the public.

As I understand it, they are classified as hooligans and vultures. This may be, but has anybody actually sat back and thought this through realisticly?

Yes, you do get of the companies that try their luck. Isn’t it like that in ALL walks of life?

I’ve heard it being said that ‘anybody can drive a tow-truck’, this may be true, but will you be able to deal with the rest of the ‘package’?

Tow truck drivers work on a commission basis with a small basic salary. Basic salary is anything between R750-00/week to roughly R2250/week. Would an average person work for that wage, 12 hrs/day, 6 days/week, including a 24hr shift, no matter what the weather conditions? Commission is worked out on a sliding scale.

How many of you drive past an accident scene and ask why the tow-trucks and EMS chased if it ‘looks minor and doesn’t look like any injuries?’. Did you stop and check if the people involved have neck/back injuries/ heart problems/ asthma etc, or are you, the public, just ASSUMING?

How many of you, the public, know that many private EMS check patients, and if they don’t need to be transported from an accident scenes, don’t charge?

Are you, the public going to sponsor fuel or pay a salary to that private emergency staff?

Then one last point. How would you, the public, feel if it was your loved one/ friend involved in that accident, and people just drive by without stopping? Would you be thankful for the tow-truck driver that parked his vehicle to prevent others from chasing into the wreckage around a corner, in the dark, or badly injured people laying in the road and contacting private EMS to come assist, or would you prefer to wait for the Saps and Metro ambulance services to arrive?

These men and women are trying to put food on the table like most South Africans. Please just think about this the next time you see a tow trucker or private EMS.

Regards

Eye on Community

Related Links: Towing Information | Ambulance Services – Port Elizabeth | Tow Truck Services – Port Elizabeth

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Port Elizabethan

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