November 26, 2024 • 37 mins
Discover the recent triumphs and ongoing challenges in the towing and recovery industry as we highlight the inspiring work of Anna Wingard and the Towing Association of South Carolina. This episode promises a deep dive into the legislative overhaul that now extends critical safety protections to those working outside of tow trucks. With the invaluable contributions of our new guest, Tanya, and the strategic efforts of our community, we celebrate a collective victory that sets a new standard for operator safety on the roads.
Join us as we recount the journey of advocacy that began in Lexington County and expanded statewide through strategic lobbying efforts. We share the innovative strategies employed by the Towing Association to engage key stakeholders, such as the Sheriff's Department and DMV. Their persistence, even in the face of initial setbacks, has paid off with legislative changes that hold drivers accountable and prioritize the safety of our industry professionals. Our story serves as a blueprint for others aiming to impact policy and make meaningful improvements in their respective fields.
Lastly, engage with us on community-building efforts, both in person and online, as we prepare for an upcoming breakfast event at the state house to further our cause. The excitement around the public Facebook page of the Going and Recovering Association of South Carolina is palpable, and our appreciation extends to our guest, Deanna, whose insights have been invaluable. This episode encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and the power of persistent advocacy in driving change within the towing community.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome one and all to the American Towing Recovery
Institute podcast.
Remember this is your podcast topromote safety, education,
positive public relations andnetworking within the
professional and business-mindedtowing and recovery industry.
I'm your co-host, dj Harrington, better known as the Tow Doctor
(00:27):
, and my other host is WesWilburn, over 40-year towing
industry veteran, the founder ofAmerican Towing Recovery
Institute of Fayetteville, northCarolina.
He has produced and conductedtraining and certification
programs for leading towingcompanies, equipment
(00:48):
distributors, towingassociations, dot, fire
departments, rescue, as well asmilitary installations across
the United States.
Wes has been published over 100times in major towing
publications published over 100times in major towing
(01:08):
publications.
Wes has developed many courses,including the most recent
awareness-level course for allresponders that specialize in
electric vehicles as well ashybrid, natural gas and hydrogen
vehicles.
Wes has provided insight as themain speaker for over 30 years
at more than 900 trainingclasses and has been recognized
(01:31):
as one of America's greatesttowing trainers.
He is well known for hisstraightforward but
down-to-earth teaching style.
No-transcript.
(02:08):
Without further ado, here's mydear friend and a great guy for
our industry, wes Wilder.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Well, dj, as always, you're way too kind, I certainly
appreciate it and I appreciateour listeners.
As the podcast continues togrow and grow, we're actually
starting to get feedback moreand more from listeners.
We're trying to listen to them,DJ.
Apparently they like the newsthat we're doing.
Hearing the news, we have a lotof listeners that listen right
(02:37):
away.
I'm learning more and more andthey like the news.
A lot of times you get currentbeing the big thing.
Dj, I hate to tell you, butthey also like Tanya, so
apparently, she's going to be apart of the show.
That's what the people upstairstold us, DJ.
(03:00):
So I don't know if we've got totry to renegotiate or what, but
that's the status for today.
Tanya why don't you go aheadand take it away?
See what the future's going tobe, DJ, you got it.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
The future's bright and sunshiny if I'm in it.
I'll tell you that right now.
What?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
do you think about that, DJ?
Give him a chance to talk alittle bit Go ahead, doc, give
me your.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
I think the two of you together Are fantastic.
Whether she calls herself Tanyaor Tanya, or whether Wes is
still Joe Rogan Of the TowingPodcast, it's just wonderful.
Tanya or Tanya, or whether Wesis still Joe Rogan of the towing
podcast, it's just wonderful.
I hate it when people say thatdo not give him a big head, oh
my goodness.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
More people have said he's the Joe Rogan of towing,
and so he it's because we're thebiggest podcast for towers in
the industry does not mean thatwest wolvern is joe rogan, but I
guess he's as close as you canget he's gonna be, he's up there
(04:16):
, he's up there you know whoalso I want to talk about right
now and we're going to bringyour one a little little bit.
Another person that's fantasticis Anna Wingard of Wingard
Towing in South Carolina.
She's also the president ofTRAF.
They just got some legislation.
There was already a slowdownmove over law in South Carolina,
(04:38):
but this is incredible the lawcovered the truck.
If the truck got hit, the lawwas covering that, but it didn't
cover somebody who was standingoutside of it and got hit.
They met with the governor ofSouth Carolina, governor
McMaster, and they finallysigned in the newest slowdown
move over law in South Carolina.
(04:59):
So she's going to be on alittle bit.
She's incredible.
She's my kind of person.
She's persistent, she'stenacious, she's just everything
.
So she's coming a little bit.
What's what you got?
Speaker 4 (05:17):
So I've seen that Donald Trump's quickly throwing
out his cabinet, isn't he?
I just noticed.
I guess this just happened lastnight.
Okay, sean Duffy, who was withFox News I guess he just
resigned and his wife's with him.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Yeah, she's the weekend.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Fox.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Morning.
Yeah, yeah, fox News.
Yeah, on the weekend, you'reright, fox morning.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, on the weekend, you're right.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
He's the former.
He's the former congressman.
That's exactly right.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
He's elected as the secretary of transportation.
So I'm wondering how that howdo you say it, tanya Does.
Does you know that thing thatElon Musk?
And how do you say it, tanya,doge, doge.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
You know that thing that.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Elon Musk and Ravik are going to cut waste out of
government.
I'm wondering how they're goingto look at the Department of
Transportation.
What did you say?
There was 5,000?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
55,000.
The Department ofTransportation has 55,000
nationwide employees.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
So that's a lot, isn't it a lot?
Am I crazy, or what?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
The thing about Sean Duffy.
I will say and I'm not going toget into any politics at all
whatsoever this guy, he seemslike a nice guy on Fox News,
he's on Fox News Financial.
This guy, he seems like a niceguy on Fox News, he's on Fox
News Financial, whatever thatfinancial network is.
So he does, he's an expert infinancial stuff.
Okay, so that's probably a goodthing looking at what you have
(06:55):
to look at in a department thatbig.
The one good thing I have tosay about him is maybe because
he is in, he does have thatfinance background.
When he's looking at, likestill working on 95 out here all
the daggone time, you can't beworking with something for that
long.
There's gotta be somethinggoing on.
So maybe maybe once some of theregulations are lifted, who
(07:20):
knows, maybe they could makebetter roads and bridges and
airways, but do it with a littlebit less money.
That's what I'm hoping.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Yeah, well, I'm wondering you know how they're
going to look at?
Different things like some ofthe towing programs in the
country are federally funded.
I hope they're not.
I hope they look at how theycan do that more efficiently,
not cutting that out.
There's a more direct connectbetween the towers and the
federal government.
(07:51):
Without these huge consultingfirms involved in between, the
dollars coming from the federalgovernment could be spent a lot
more efficiently dealingdirectly with the towing
industry to clear the roads.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So that leads me into this one thing, wes, if you
don't mind.
Sure, this week is and I didn'tknow this until I was looking
it started yesterday.
This week is Crash ResponderSafety Week.
It started yesterday, that'sright.
It ends Friday and Friday isthe slowdown move over day.
But looking into this a littlebit, speaking like the federal
(08:25):
dollars, and maybe looking atthe tow industry to see if
something with that can be done,there are 7 million traffic
crashes annually, 7 millionaccidents every month, and
there's almost 50,000 trafficincident responders that work
roadside every day.
50,000 traffic incidentresponders that work roadside
(08:47):
every day.
50,000, I'm going to guess, ifyou're working roadside as a
responder, you're probablytowing for the most part.
There's 50,000 men and womenout there every day on the side
of the road recovering thesecars and putting themselves in
that thin white line.
Putting themselves in that thinwhite line.
So maybe some of the stuff thathe's doing can carry over to
(09:09):
what we do, and that's just myhope.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Yeah, hopefully.
Yeah, changing gears slightly,I'm very happy to share this
news with you.
Changing gears slightly, I'mvery happy to share this news
with you.
Toe Times Magazine, part ofLegacy Media and the
tele-industry.
They were the second magazine.
I guess American Tome was thefirst magazine.
(09:39):
Does that sound right to you,dj?
Yes, american Tome was startedby an individual, and then Tow
Times a few years later, and allthis was in the 70s, early 80s.
Tow Times magazine started witha group of towers banding
together that owned that.
One of them was Dave Jones outof Orlando, florida.
(10:02):
Dave was a really good guy.
I interacted with him more thanonce.
And he was always a very decentindividual.
But anyway, Toe Times Magazineevery year gives an annual award
, the Dave Jones Award, and theyrecognize Jimmy Collins of
Casper's Body Shop in Greenville, tennessee.
(10:24):
And I know Jimmy personally.
I've Shop in Greenville,tennessee and I know Jimmy
personally.
I've stayed in his homeactually.
He's hosted several schoolsover the years and he's a class
number one, first classgentleman and it's very nice
that he's very well deserving ofthat recognition.
Jimmy talked about when theyreceived the award the humble
(10:45):
individual that he is.
he talked about how much itmeant to him because he had a
relationship with Dave Jones,working with him at the
Tennessee Toe Show when theystarted it years ago, and that
Dave would give him some goodbusiness advice that Jimmy's
still capitalizing off of today.
So very nice to see Jimmyrecognized Super, super
(11:11):
deserving and if I didn'tmention that, he also is a
founding member of the Institute.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
He is a founding member, and didn't Mike McGovern
give him the award he?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
did.
That's right.
Mike made a very good speech.
From what I understand, mike,of course, is a friend of the
podcast.
We did an episode with him acouple months ago, I guess.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Maybe three or four months ago.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Yeah, thanks for pointing it out, sonia.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
The time flies with me.
I'm a good time.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Yeah, that's what we keep hearing what else you got.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
I think we've covered the news for the week.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
We're definitely going to have more next week
yeah, if we want to hear fromour listeners.
If you like this new format,we're going to try to change
things up a little bit and bemore lively interviews and I say
lively, hopefully everything'salways lively, but more timely
timely if I'm on the podcastwith you.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
It's going to be really lovely.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
That's what they say, DJ.
That's what they say.
Everybody, hang around.
We've got a great interview forafter the break, so hang around
for a short commercial breakand we'll be right back.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Information in this podcast is made possible by
generous sponsorship fromHenry's Wrecker, serving the
community with quality towingand recovery for over 40 years.
Henryswreckercom, traa, theInjured Drivers Fund and
legislation that makes all of ussafer are what makes this
industry special.
Ina Towing supports all of thisand more.
(12:52):
When there is a need, gayRochester is always one of the
first to come forward and askhow can I help?
The American Towing andRecovery Institute is honored to
have the support of the INATowing Network.
Together we all make adifference.
Ina Towing Networksimplifiedplified Solutions,
(13:12):
superior Service.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Welcome back listeners.
You know you're listening tothe American Towing and Recovery
Institute podcast, the numberone podcast in the country, with
Wes Wilburn and DJ Harrington,the tow doctor, every week.
We do our best to give youinformative episodes.
I just want to remind you we'reavailable on Spotify, itunes,
(13:35):
pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia,amazon or wherever you get your
podcasts.
So, without further ado, let mepass you over to Tanya.
Tanya.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Yes, that's Tanya.
That's right, you always messit up, but that's okay, I would
love to introduce Anna Wingard.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Hey, Anna, can you tell us a little bit about
yourself?
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yes, so my name is Anna.
Speaker 6 (14:08):
Wingard and I operate a business that has been in
West Columbia, south Carolina,since 1972.
I have only been involved inabout the last eight years.
I used to be in the medicalfield and I kind of got thrown
into my husband's business, likeI think a lot of wives do.
So that should be a definitelyrelatable story about myself.
But I got involved in theTowing and Recovery Association
(14:31):
first as a member and then aregional board of directors seat
, and then vice president, andlater now I am the president of
the Towing and RecoveryAssociation of South Carolina.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
How long have you been president?
I want to say five years.
I want to say that, but it'sbeen.
It's been a.
It's been a.
It sounds like it's been ajourney?
Speaker 6 (14:57):
It definitely has, for sure, and I think it's been
a great journey.
Lots of things learned and lotsof mistakes, but that has, you
know, obviously led us to somerecent successes in our state.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
It sounds like the Towing Association of South
Carolina has benefited greatlyby having you involved.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
I appreciate that, yes.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Well, you know, when we worked with you all at the
Myrtle Beach event we used to do, you were a great part of that
and you put in a lot of effortto it and we really always had a
warm place in our heart for theassociation and you as well.
Speaker 6 (15:34):
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Wes.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
You're welcome.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
And from everything that I've seen, this has been an
uphill battle for you for whatyou've done.
Can you go into a little bit ofthat for us?
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Sure.
So I became a part of ourtowing association because there
were changes in my businessthat I realized that I couldn't
make within my own business, andso I got involved with the
towing association and realizedthat was the only way I was
going to make change in my ownbusiness is to be a part of
something bigger than my ownbusiness.
So I got together with otherleadership in the Towing
(16:10):
Association and at that time wedid not have a lobbyist, and so
we all got together and actuallyhired a lobbying firm that we
had in previous years sat down,and this was in 2018.
And the lobbyist said well, Ineed a list of your priorities.
What do you want to be changed?
(16:32):
And number one, withoverwhelming support from all
the towing association membersat the same table, as us said,
the slow down, move over law.
So to me, we started thisjourney in 2018, and if you know
anything about politics, itdoesn't change, does not happen
fast, and in South Carolina,usually if you want a law passed
(16:53):
, it's usually advised that itwill take two years.
You would start either on theSenate side or the House side,
and that would go for that yearthat that state house was open,
and then the next year it wouldroll over into the other side,
whether it was the Senate orHouse, if that makes any sense.
It would roll over into theother side, whether it was the
Senate or House, if that makesany sense.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
So we went into this process, knowing that whatever
changes we wanted to make, we'regoing to take about two years,
however.
So, anna, let me let meinterrupt and ask the question
You're making changes.
Are you making changes to anexisting law or are you coming
up with?
Speaker 6 (17:36):
Correct With the brand new law?
Yeah, so actually to answerthat question, interestingly
enough the slowdown move overlaw that is now an
internationally recognized laworiginated in South Carolina and
specifically in LexingtonCounty, where our my personal
business operates and actuallywhere I live.
Um, so, yes, there was anexisting slowdown moveover law
and, again, interestingly enough, it was the original, which has
(17:59):
had some changes along the way.
But for some reason, theslowdown moveover law covered
the tow truck, not the tow truckoperator.
That's what I was reading.
Yes, so, and everybody keptsaying, well, why?
This doesn't make any sense andnobody could tell us how it got
(18:20):
to be that way and a lot ofpeople kind of didn't really
understand why we wanted tochange it.
And unfortunately, this isn'tgoing to change whether anybody
is going to slow down and moveover.
It just changes the fact thatif a tow truck operator is hit
and their tow truck is not, thenofficers can write a ticket.
(18:42):
So what was happening in thestate of South Carolina is, if
the tow truck was not actuallyhit, just the driver the tow
truck was not actually hit, justthe driver officers were pretty
much unable to write a ticketfor the driver failing to slow
down and move over because ofthe way that the law was written
.
So it just was very horribleunintended consequences.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
It could be a hit and run law, but not a move over
slow down ticket.
Speaker 6 (19:08):
Correct, correct, yes .
However, what was reallyhappening ultimately is people
were hitting.
There was even a lady by thename of Sonia Gwynn and she has
a towing and recovery businessin a body shop out of Beaufort,
south Carolina, and shetestified at the state house
that her mother and the customerwere hit on the side of an
(19:33):
interstate in Beaufort, southCarolina, and the person who hit
both of them did not receiveany sentencing at all, never
served jail time and nevershowed up to court.
So our point in this was a lotof just making sure that someone
who does fail to slow down amove over and hits an operator
there are some consequences.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
That has impact.
Consequences always have animpact.
What's the question you want toask?
Speaker 4 (19:59):
I just want to make the statement.
It's a wonderful thing, thatyou did to get that recognized
and all those little details areimportant.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Very, very important.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
Yes, so we're right up to where we need to take a
break.
Can you hang around until afterthe break and we'll come right
back, of course.
Speaker 5 (20:22):
The EV Clever app is an app created for all
responders and emergency servicepersonnel.
The EV Clever app is the onlyapp containing easy-to-navigate
quick links to accessmanufacturer-suggested
instructions for emergencysituations dealing with electric
and alternative fuel vehicleswhile on the side of the road.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
That includes hybrid, fully electric fuel cell,
compressed natural gas andhydrogen buses and heavy trucks.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
These quick links are a convenient way to access
information quickly.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
To date, we have a total of 789 passenger vehicles,
over 181 heavy-duty trucks, andadding more every day, thanks
to our research team.
You can go to evclevercom anduse the code PODCAST2024, get a
free 30-day trial and then afterthat you get 20% off.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
The best towing companies offer a combination of
great training, efficientoperations, along with quality
supplies.
Towing Equipment Direct iscommitted to help your towing
company stay ahead of thecompetition by providing the
best quality of towing equipmentand supplies.
Here's why you should chooseTowing Equipment Direct for all
of your towing supply needs.
We provide affordable towingsupplies and equipment.
(21:36):
All towing supplies andequipment are made from the
latest technology and we supplyproducts from the most respected
brands in the towing industry,offering the widest variety of
towing supplies and equipment inNew England.
If you're not using the latesttowing equipment, there's a good
chance your company has fallenbehind.
Savvy consumers can quicklytell which towing companies
(21:57):
provide the best service.
In many cases, the quality ofyour equipment and supplies can
make a huge difference.
Our representatives areknowledgeable in the towing
industry, so for the best towingequipment and supplies, count
on the team at Towing EquipmentDirect.
Browse our catalog online attowingequipmentdirectcom or give
us a call at 910-747-9000.
(22:20):
That's 910-747-9000.
We look forward to serving you.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Welcome back listeners.
This is the number one podcastin the towing and recovery
industry the American Towing andRecovery Institute podcast with
Wes Wilburn, dj Harrington andour special guest, anna Wingard.
By all means remember to like,review and share everywhere.
If you want to hear anotherindustry expert like Anna, by
(22:49):
all means call the podcasthotline 706-409-5603.
And Wes and Tanya and DJ willdo our best to get you on the
podcast Without further ado, letme pass it back on over to Wes
and Tanya.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Tanya, that's exactly right.
So the caption that I seen,anna, was the other 25 letters
in the alphabet, and if plentydoesn't work, I love that.
I'm just going to remember thatfor the rest of my life,
exactly what it felt like.
It's, I'm sure, I'm 100 sure,I'm sure, but that's what
(23:33):
perseverance and just keepmoving forward does, that's what
it achieves, you know,especially when you consider the
pandemic was in the middle ofall this yes and for y'all to
keep going afterwards.
Yes, god bless, god bless sowith that mountain that you
climbed and I'm sure I'm surethere's still work to be done on
the slow down move over.
I'm sure there's still littleaspects of it that need to be
(23:54):
tweaked.
But what else are you guysworking on?
What else is the associationdoing?
Anything current coming up?
Speaker 6 (24:13):
think sometimes lobbyists have a bad reputation,
but lobbying has been paramountfor us and we absolutely could
not do it without our lobbyists.
So I think our lobbyist hasgiven us really, really great
advice, and she says that weshould always try to make
changes non-legislatively.
First.
We should try to find a way tochange policies and procedures,
make relationships better,before trying to change the law.
So we have spent a good portionof this year investigating
(24:40):
those options in pretty much twodifferent arenas, due to the
fact that our kind of goal as anassociation wasn't so much on
the towing side, it was more ofthe impound side.
So of course, a lot of towingbusinesses aren't just towing
from point A to point B, butthey're bringing a lot of police
impounds, private propertyimpounds back to their lot and,
as in South Carolina, a lot ofour towing businesses are saying
(25:03):
, hey, more and more cars arebeing left with us than ever
before, and I think a lot ofthat has to do with the economy.
I think that people are buyingvehicles and they are probably
spending all the money that theyhave on a vehicle.
They're unable to then properlypay insurance, properly pay
taxes, properly pay tag fees,that sort of thing.
(25:25):
So when they get pulled overfor speeding, they're having
multiple violations and they'regetting their car impounded.
and then they're unable to comeretreat their vehicle.
So it's kind of just a littlesummary of why we kind of think
that we're being left with moreand more vehicles.
So we have been trying toexercise our rights by being
(25:46):
able to reclaim vehicles themost fastest way that takes the
least amount of paperwork,essentially bypassing magistrate
court.
So the Towing Association.
There's two different routes todo that.
One route is to go through ourSouth Carolina Department of
Motor Vehicles and another wayis to go through that with our
Sheriff's Department.
So as an association werealized that there was two laws
(26:08):
that we can exercise.
And then we saw that theSheriff's Department was not
exercising their right on theirpart by not having a statewide
form.
So anyway, we worked with theSheriff's Association in our
state to make sure there was astatewide form so that towing
services can properly dismantle,sell to a recycler, you know,
to crush the vehicle withouthaving to go through magistrate
(26:30):
court.
So we were able to do that,which we felt like was a great
thing because again, that didn'trequire any laws to be changed.
And then we've also been workingwith our Department of Motor
Vehicles Even when a vehiclegoes through magistrate court
and we're able to get the titlelater to the vehicle.
(26:51):
There's been some titlingissues that we've been working
with the DMV on.
We've been actually workingwith the DMV on a way that we
can take ownership of mopedswithout having to go through
magistrate court, which kind ofsounds silly, but I don't think
that towing mopeds are any towoperators favorite thing to tow.
(27:11):
But it becomes cumbersome whenwe have to go through magistrate
court for these things that areonly worth $500.
So we're currently working withour Department of Motor
Vehicles so that we canpotentially sell a vehicle
without having to go throughmagistrate court, having to go
through magistrate court.
(27:31):
So those are just a coupleexamples of things that we're
trying to help towing businesseswith that are more so on the
back end business side of thingsmore so than the towing side.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
Yeah, well, that's one of the great things of what
state associations do?
I have a question or two I'dlike to ask in there Is private
property a big business, privateproperty telling a big business
in South Carolina.
Speaker 6 (27:55):
All over the state, a good bit of private property
impound business down there, somuch so that Charleston County
(28:16):
and even more specific citieslike the city of Charleston have
government mandated towingrates for private property
impounds and even an array ofregulations like when the towing
service can and can't be opento release vehicles, that sort
of thing.
So yes, so that definitely isGreenville County.
(28:38):
Some people might be familiarwith the city of Greenville.
There's a bunch of plants orthings like that, like BMW plant
is up there, and thatjurisdiction as well mandates
the towing rates and all sortsof things related to private
property impounds.
So I think it just varies.
I'm right outside of a collegetown and my business does a
(29:00):
little bit of private propertyimpounds, but it's not a big
portion of what our businessdoes.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
And one last question on the subject, and we'll move
on.
And then one last question onthe subject, and we'll move on.
As far as cars left, is itequal between the private
property, percentage-wise, andthe law enforcement toes of what
you get left with, or?
Speaker 6 (29:27):
is it more one or the other?
I think that it might vary onthe nature of the private
property impound.
If it's a private propertyimpound where someone just
parked, you know, at the wrongrestaurant for lunch and then
came back to get their vehicle30 minutes later and it's gone,
of course they're very likely topick up their car.
That private property impoundson the other side of the
(29:52):
spectrum like if a grocery store, shopping center complex calls
and says this car has beenabandoned on our lot for seven
days and it's blocking ourdumpster, obviously somebody has
already abandoned that car.
So the likelihood that they aregoing to pick it up from the
towing service later is slim tonone, because it's technically
already really been abandonedone time.
It's just you're moving thevehicle from one place to
another.
(30:15):
I think also the nature of apolice impound would determine
whether it was going to bepicked up or not from the tow
impound yard.
If it's a violation, if theywere arrested, then they're most
likely to come pick up the carafter they get in, you know, out
of jail, but also with recs.
We are seeing more and morepeople with loans on their car
(30:36):
who do not have active insurancepolicies like absolutely
uninsured.
So I really don't think thatyou could say that the nature of
the impound would determinewhether it's more likely to be
picked up or not from theimpound yard.
At this point I think there'sseveral factors that are going
into it.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
Fair enough, good answer, thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
I have a question going back a little bit from
what you said.
You said that you were workingwithin the laws.
Speaker 4 (31:04):
first, Rules first Rules the rules first before
changing the laws.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
You said that you work with the Sheriff's
Department and DMV Do you haveany advice to our 16,000
listeners out there on how toapproach that in their states.
Speaker 6 (31:26):
Yeah.
So I think one of the reasonswhy I feel like the Towing
Association in 2024 has been sosuccessful is we have been
knocking on people's doorsleadership positions for about
two years and we've been told no.
And even though we've been toldno, like we're not going to
meet with you, we're stillasking six months later like,
(31:46):
hey, nothing has changed.
I sent you an email I asked tomeet with you.
Hey, nothing has changed.
I sent you an email I asked tomeet with you.
Whichever organization it mightbe, I still want to meet with
you.
I just definitely thinkpersistence pays off and I think
the biggest kind of way that wegot our foot in the door with
the DMV is being persistent andliterally looking up the
(32:07):
leadership positions on theSouth Carolina Department of
DMV's website, finding theiremail address and sending them
an email and just not beingafraid to do so, and we've
essentially that's kind of howwe got our foot in the door.
And then the next step isbecause we had started to
communicate with the DMV.
We were invited this year theTowing Association to the
(32:30):
stakeholder meeting for theDepartment of Motor Vehicles and
that was really a home run forus because we were literally
sitting at the same table as thehead of the DMV, which his boss
is, the governor of SouthCarolina.
We sat with the attorney of theSouth Carolina Department of
Motor Vehicles and then theother people at the table was
(32:51):
the Recyclers Association ofSouth Carolina, the Motor Coach
Association, the Association ofCounties, so it was every major
association in the state ofSouth Carolina that had any
interest in vehicles and it wasa great, great way.
And I was able to tell you knowthe director of the DMV I've
started working on with somepeople in your leadership on
(33:14):
these problems in South Carolinaand how the DMV has a way to
help us, which then helps themotoring public, which is always
important to tie your problemsas an association to the general
public, public.
And basically, at the end ofwhen I had a chance to speak,
the director of the DMV said allright, well, we're going to
make sure, or I'm going to makesure, that these things, you
(33:36):
know, get handled by myleadership.
So even though I wascommunicating with one person in
the DMV to help me, theattorney heard it and his boss
heard it.
So I feel like we're definitelygoing to be able to get those
things changed and we finallyfeel like we're to a point where
our industry is beingrecognized and understood, that
what happens in our industryimpacts the DMV and impacts
(33:58):
everybody on the road.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Not only recognized and understood, but taken
seriously because and respected.
You definitely made that happenin the state of South Carolina.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 6 (34:09):
So definitely persistence.
If you get five no's fromsomebody, continue on.
Find another way to find a yes.
One of the things that our stateassociation is really excited
to do in 2025, and I'm not sureif other state houses do this,
but the state of South Carolinaallows for breakfasts and
(34:31):
lunches to happen at the statehouse, and we have been on a
wait list for three years to beable to do this, so we are going
to be able to, as anassociation, host a breakfast at
the actual state house for allof the legislators and their
staff members, and it's at thestate house, so we're not asking
them to come to our event andasking them to be away from work
(34:55):
.
This is in their territory andconvenient for them and their
staff members, and so I wouldencourage any state association
that's listening to this to besure to see if that's an option
for them, because it's a greatway for us to be able to I love
this statement but to sit at thesame table as them, because we
could come into their office andtalk to them all day long, but
(35:16):
there's something very specialabout sharing a meal, you know,
with somebody you want to getwork done with.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
How true, how true, excellent.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Sounds like you've definitely set the table.
If we want to go back to thetable analogy, for it may seem
like it's been overnight to somepeople, but you've been working
towards this.
Your association's been workingtowards this, but you've been
working towards this for thelast five years and here you are
and your state has benefited.
The towers in your state havebenefited from it.
(35:49):
Hopefully, they know thatbenefited.
Speaker 4 (35:51):
the Towers in your state have benefited from it.
Hopefully they know that Ifyou're a Toward in the state of
South Carolina, you shoulddefinitely consider joining.
I guess as a matter ofdisclosure, I should say I have
a warm spot in my heart for theToward Recovery Association of
South Carolina.
They made me an honorarylifetime member and I always
appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
How do you become?
A member in the state of SouthCarolina.
Where do you, where do youreach out to?
Speaker 6 (36:16):
Sure, normally I would say you would go to
trafcnet, but our website isactually being revamped, but our
email address is trafcT-R-A-S-C 2015 at gmailcom, and
if you just shoot us an email,that that way we can basically
send an invoice and basicallyall the rest of the information
about becoming a member, andwe're just hoping that we have a
(36:38):
nice new website that'll makethings easier and that,
unfortunately, takes some time.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
I'm going to do with it.
You know it's going to befabulous.
Yes.
Speaker 6 (36:47):
We also have a Facebook page.
There is a private Facebookpage that a lot of times people
try to get into, but really it'sjust a public Facebook page.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
It's the Going and.
Speaker 6 (36:54):
Recovering Association of South Carolina.
You've been a great guestDeanna.
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (37:02):
Wes anything you want to add to that on the air?
Speaker 4 (37:04):
No just thank you and keep up the good work.
Speaker 6 (37:07):
Thanks, wes, I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (37:09):
Thank you.
Welcome one and all to the American Towing Recovery
Institute podcast.
Remember this is your podcast topromote safety, education,
positive public relations andnetworking within the
professional and business-mindedtowing and recovery industry.
I'm your co-host, dj Harrington, better known as the Tow Doctor
(00:27):
, and my other host is WesWilburn, over 40-year towing
industry veteran, the founder ofAmerican Towing Recovery
Institute of Fayetteville, northCarolina.
He has produced and conductedtraining and certification
programs for leading towingcompanies, equipment
(00:48):
distributors, towingassociations, dot, fire
departments, rescue, as well asmilitary installations across
the United States.
Wes has been published over 100times in major towing
publications published over 100times in major towing
(01:08):
publications.
Wes has developed many courses,including the most recent
awareness-level course for allresponders that specialize in
electric vehicles as well ashybrid, natural gas and hydrogen
vehicles.
Wes has provided insight as themain speaker for over 30 years
at more than 900 trainingclasses and has been recognized
(01:31):
as one of America's greatesttowing trainers.
He is well known for hisstraightforward but
down-to-earth teaching style.
No-transcript.
(02:08):
Without further ado, here's mydear friend and a great guy for
our industry, wes Wilder.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Well, dj, as always, you're way too kind, I certainly
appreciate it and I appreciateour listeners.
As the podcast continues togrow and grow, we're actually
starting to get feedback moreand more from listeners.
We're trying to listen to them,DJ.
Apparently they like the newsthat we're doing.
Hearing the news, we have a lotof listeners that listen right
(02:37):
away.
I'm learning more and more andthey like the news.
A lot of times you get currentbeing the big thing.
Dj, I hate to tell you, butthey also like Tanya, so
apparently, she's going to be apart of the show.
That's what the people upstairstold us, DJ.
(03:00):
So I don't know if we've got totry to renegotiate or what, but
that's the status for today.
Tanya why don't you go aheadand take it away?
See what the future's going tobe, DJ, you got it.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
The future's bright and sunshiny if I'm in it.
I'll tell you that right now.
What?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
do you think about that, DJ?
Give him a chance to talk alittle bit Go ahead, doc, give
me your.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
I think the two of you together Are fantastic.
Whether she calls herself Tanyaor Tanya, or whether Wes is
still Joe Rogan Of the TowingPodcast, it's just wonderful.
Tanya or Tanya, or whether Wesis still Joe Rogan of the towing
podcast, it's just wonderful.
I hate it when people say thatdo not give him a big head, oh
my goodness.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
More people have said he's the Joe Rogan of towing,
and so he it's because we're thebiggest podcast for towers in
the industry does not mean thatwest wolvern is joe rogan, but I
guess he's as close as you canget he's gonna be, he's up there
(04:16):
, he's up there you know whoalso I want to talk about right
now and we're going to bringyour one a little little bit.
Another person that's fantasticis Anna Wingard of Wingard
Towing in South Carolina.
She's also the president ofTRAF.
They just got some legislation.
There was already a slowdownmove over law in South Carolina,
(04:38):
but this is incredible the lawcovered the truck.
If the truck got hit, the lawwas covering that, but it didn't
cover somebody who was standingoutside of it and got hit.
They met with the governor ofSouth Carolina, governor
McMaster, and they finallysigned in the newest slowdown
move over law in South Carolina.
(04:59):
So she's going to be on alittle bit.
She's incredible.
She's my kind of person.
She's persistent, she'stenacious, she's just everything
.
So she's coming a little bit.
What's what you got?
Speaker 4 (05:17):
So I've seen that Donald Trump's quickly throwing
out his cabinet, isn't he?
I just noticed.
I guess this just happened lastnight.
Okay, sean Duffy, who was withFox News I guess he just
resigned and his wife's with him.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Yeah, she's the weekend.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Fox.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Morning.
Yeah, yeah, fox News.
Yeah, on the weekend, you'reright, fox morning.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, on the weekend, you're right.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
He's the former.
He's the former congressman.
That's exactly right.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
He's elected as the secretary of transportation.
So I'm wondering how that howdo you say it, tanya Does.
Does you know that thing thatElon Musk?
And how do you say it, tanya,doge, doge.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
You know that thing that.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
Elon Musk and Ravik are going to cut waste out of
government.
I'm wondering how they're goingto look at the Department of
Transportation.
What did you say?
There was 5,000?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
55,000.
The Department ofTransportation has 55,000
nationwide employees.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
So that's a lot, isn't it a lot?
Am I crazy, or what?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
The thing about Sean Duffy.
I will say and I'm not going toget into any politics at all
whatsoever this guy, he seemslike a nice guy on Fox News,
he's on Fox News Financial.
This guy, he seems like a niceguy on Fox News, he's on Fox
News Financial, whatever thatfinancial network is.
So he does, he's an expert infinancial stuff.
Okay, so that's probably a goodthing looking at what you have
(06:55):
to look at in a department thatbig.
The one good thing I have tosay about him is maybe because
he is in, he does have thatfinance background.
When he's looking at, likestill working on 95 out here all
the daggone time, you can't beworking with something for that
long.
There's gotta be somethinggoing on.
So maybe maybe once some of theregulations are lifted, who
(07:20):
knows, maybe they could makebetter roads and bridges and
airways, but do it with a littlebit less money.
That's what I'm hoping.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Yeah, well, I'm wondering you know how they're
going to look at?
Different things like some ofthe towing programs in the
country are federally funded.
I hope they're not.
I hope they look at how theycan do that more efficiently,
not cutting that out.
There's a more direct connectbetween the towers and the
federal government.
(07:51):
Without these huge consultingfirms involved in between, the
dollars coming from the federalgovernment could be spent a lot
more efficiently dealingdirectly with the towing
industry to clear the roads.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So that leads me into this one thing, wes, if you
don't mind.
Sure, this week is and I didn'tknow this until I was looking
it started yesterday.
This week is Crash ResponderSafety Week.
It started yesterday, that'sright.
It ends Friday and Friday isthe slowdown move over day.
But looking into this a littlebit, speaking like the federal
(08:25):
dollars, and maybe looking atthe tow industry to see if
something with that can be done,there are 7 million traffic
crashes annually, 7 millionaccidents every month, and
there's almost 50,000 trafficincident responders that work
roadside every day.
50,000 traffic incidentresponders that work roadside
(08:47):
every day.
50,000, I'm going to guess, ifyou're working roadside as a
responder, you're probablytowing for the most part.
There's 50,000 men and womenout there every day on the side
of the road recovering thesecars and putting themselves in
that thin white line.
Putting themselves in that thinwhite line.
So maybe some of the stuff thathe's doing can carry over to
(09:09):
what we do, and that's just myhope.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Yeah, hopefully.
Yeah, changing gears slightly,I'm very happy to share this
news with you.
Changing gears slightly, I'mvery happy to share this news
with you.
Toe Times Magazine, part ofLegacy Media and the
tele-industry.
They were the second magazine.
I guess American Tome was thefirst magazine.
(09:39):
Does that sound right to you,dj?
Yes, american Tome was startedby an individual, and then Tow
Times a few years later, and allthis was in the 70s, early 80s.
Tow Times magazine started witha group of towers banding
together that owned that.
One of them was Dave Jones outof Orlando, florida.
(10:02):
Dave was a really good guy.
I interacted with him more thanonce.
And he was always a very decentindividual.
But anyway, Toe Times Magazineevery year gives an annual award
, the Dave Jones Award, and theyrecognize Jimmy Collins of
Casper's Body Shop in Greenville, tennessee.
(10:24):
And I know Jimmy personally.
I've Shop in Greenville,tennessee and I know Jimmy
personally.
I've stayed in his homeactually.
He's hosted several schoolsover the years and he's a class
number one, first classgentleman and it's very nice
that he's very well deserving ofthat recognition.
Jimmy talked about when theyreceived the award the humble
(10:45):
individual that he is.
he talked about how much itmeant to him because he had a
relationship with Dave Jones,working with him at the
Tennessee Toe Show when theystarted it years ago, and that
Dave would give him some goodbusiness advice that Jimmy's
still capitalizing off of today.
So very nice to see Jimmyrecognized Super, super
(11:11):
deserving and if I didn'tmention that, he also is a
founding member of the Institute.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
He is a founding member, and didn't Mike McGovern
give him the award he?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
did.
That's right.
Mike made a very good speech.
From what I understand, mike,of course, is a friend of the
podcast.
We did an episode with him acouple months ago, I guess.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Maybe three or four months ago.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Yeah, thanks for pointing it out, sonia.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
The time flies with me.
I'm a good time.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Yeah, that's what we keep hearing what else you got.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
I think we've covered the news for the week.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
We're definitely going to have more next week
yeah, if we want to hear fromour listeners.
If you like this new format,we're going to try to change
things up a little bit and bemore lively interviews and I say
lively, hopefully everything'salways lively, but more timely
timely if I'm on the podcastwith you.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
It's going to be really lovely.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
That's what they say, DJ.
That's what they say.
Everybody, hang around.
We've got a great interview forafter the break, so hang around
for a short commercial breakand we'll be right back.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Information in this podcast is made possible by
generous sponsorship fromHenry's Wrecker, serving the
community with quality towingand recovery for over 40 years.
Henryswreckercom, traa, theInjured Drivers Fund and
legislation that makes all of ussafer are what makes this
industry special.
Ina Towing supports all of thisand more.
(12:52):
When there is a need, gayRochester is always one of the
first to come forward and askhow can I help?
The American Towing andRecovery Institute is honored to
have the support of the INATowing Network.
Together we all make adifference.
Ina Towing Networksimplifiedplified Solutions,
(13:12):
superior Service.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Welcome back listeners.
You know you're listening tothe American Towing and Recovery
Institute podcast, the numberone podcast in the country, with
Wes Wilburn and DJ Harrington,the tow doctor, every week.
We do our best to give youinformative episodes.
I just want to remind you we'reavailable on Spotify, itunes,
(13:35):
pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia,amazon or wherever you get your
podcasts.
So, without further ado, let mepass you over to Tanya.
Tanya.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Yes, that's Tanya.
That's right, you always messit up, but that's okay, I would
love to introduce Anna Wingard.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Hey, Anna, can you tell us a little bit about
yourself?
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yes, so my name is Anna.
Speaker 6 (14:08):
Wingard and I operate a business that has been in
West Columbia, south Carolina,since 1972.
I have only been involved inabout the last eight years.
I used to be in the medicalfield and I kind of got thrown
into my husband's business, likeI think a lot of wives do.
So that should be a definitelyrelatable story about myself.
But I got involved in theTowing and Recovery Association
(14:31):
first as a member and then aregional board of directors seat
, and then vice president, andlater now I am the president of
the Towing and RecoveryAssociation of South Carolina.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
How long have you been president?
I want to say five years.
I want to say that, but it'sbeen.
It's been a.
It's been a.
It sounds like it's been ajourney?
Speaker 6 (14:57):
It definitely has, for sure, and I think it's been
a great journey.
Lots of things learned and lotsof mistakes, but that has, you
know, obviously led us to somerecent successes in our state.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
It sounds like the Towing Association of South
Carolina has benefited greatlyby having you involved.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
I appreciate that, yes.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Well, you know, when we worked with you all at the
Myrtle Beach event we used to do, you were a great part of that
and you put in a lot of effortto it and we really always had a
warm place in our heart for theassociation and you as well.
Speaker 6 (15:34):
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Wes.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
You're welcome.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
And from everything that I've seen, this has been an
uphill battle for you for whatyou've done.
Can you go into a little bit ofthat for us?
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Sure.
So I became a part of ourtowing association because there
were changes in my businessthat I realized that I couldn't
make within my own business, andso I got involved with the
towing association and realizedthat was the only way I was
going to make change in my ownbusiness is to be a part of
something bigger than my ownbusiness.
So I got together with otherleadership in the Towing
(16:10):
Association and at that time wedid not have a lobbyist, and so
we all got together and actuallyhired a lobbying firm that we
had in previous years sat down,and this was in 2018.
And the lobbyist said well, Ineed a list of your priorities.
What do you want to be changed?
(16:32):
And number one, withoverwhelming support from all
the towing association membersat the same table, as us said,
the slow down, move over law.
So to me, we started thisjourney in 2018, and if you know
anything about politics, itdoesn't change, does not happen
fast, and in South Carolina,usually if you want a law passed
(16:53):
, it's usually advised that itwill take two years.
You would start either on theSenate side or the House side,
and that would go for that yearthat that state house was open,
and then the next year it wouldroll over into the other side,
whether it was the Senate orHouse, if that makes any sense.
It would roll over into theother side, whether it was the
Senate or House, if that makesany sense.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
So we went into this process, knowing that whatever
changes we wanted to make, we'regoing to take about two years,
however.
So, anna, let me let meinterrupt and ask the question
You're making changes.
Are you making changes to anexisting law or are you coming
up with?
Speaker 6 (17:36):
Correct With the brand new law?
Yeah, so actually to answerthat question, interestingly
enough the slowdown move overlaw that is now an
internationally recognized laworiginated in South Carolina and
specifically in LexingtonCounty, where our my personal
business operates and actuallywhere I live.
Um, so, yes, there was anexisting slowdown moveover law
and, again, interestingly enough, it was the original, which has
(17:59):
had some changes along the way.
But for some reason, theslowdown moveover law covered
the tow truck, not the tow truckoperator.
That's what I was reading.
Yes, so, and everybody keptsaying, well, why?
This doesn't make any sense andnobody could tell us how it got
(18:20):
to be that way and a lot ofpeople kind of didn't really
understand why we wanted tochange it.
And unfortunately, this isn'tgoing to change whether anybody
is going to slow down and moveover.
It just changes the fact thatif a tow truck operator is hit
and their tow truck is not, thenofficers can write a ticket.
(18:42):
So what was happening in thestate of South Carolina is, if
the tow truck was not actuallyhit, just the driver the tow
truck was not actually hit, justthe driver officers were pretty
much unable to write a ticketfor the driver failing to slow
down and move over because ofthe way that the law was written
.
So it just was very horribleunintended consequences.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
It could be a hit and run law, but not a move over
slow down ticket.
Speaker 6 (19:08):
Correct, correct, yes .
However, what was reallyhappening ultimately is people
were hitting.
There was even a lady by thename of Sonia Gwynn and she has
a towing and recovery businessin a body shop out of Beaufort,
south Carolina, and shetestified at the state house
that her mother and the customerwere hit on the side of an
(19:33):
interstate in Beaufort, southCarolina, and the person who hit
both of them did not receiveany sentencing at all, never
served jail time and nevershowed up to court.
So our point in this was a lotof just making sure that someone
who does fail to slow down amove over and hits an operator
there are some consequences.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
That has impact.
Consequences always have animpact.
What's the question you want toask?
Speaker 4 (19:59):
I just want to make the statement.
It's a wonderful thing, thatyou did to get that recognized
and all those little details areimportant.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Very, very important.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
Yes, so we're right up to where we need to take a
break.
Can you hang around until afterthe break and we'll come right
back, of course.
Speaker 5 (20:22):
The EV Clever app is an app created for all
responders and emergency servicepersonnel.
The EV Clever app is the onlyapp containing easy-to-navigate
quick links to accessmanufacturer-suggested
instructions for emergencysituations dealing with electric
and alternative fuel vehicleswhile on the side of the road.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
That includes hybrid, fully electric fuel cell,
compressed natural gas andhydrogen buses and heavy trucks.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
These quick links are a convenient way to access
information quickly.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
To date, we have a total of 789 passenger vehicles,
over 181 heavy-duty trucks, andadding more every day, thanks
to our research team.
You can go to evclevercom anduse the code PODCAST2024, get a
free 30-day trial and then afterthat you get 20% off.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
The best towing companies offer a combination of
great training, efficientoperations, along with quality
supplies.
Towing Equipment Direct iscommitted to help your towing
company stay ahead of thecompetition by providing the
best quality of towing equipmentand supplies.
Here's why you should chooseTowing Equipment Direct for all
of your towing supply needs.
We provide affordable towingsupplies and equipment.
(21:36):
All towing supplies andequipment are made from the
latest technology and we supplyproducts from the most respected
brands in the towing industry,offering the widest variety of
towing supplies and equipment inNew England.
If you're not using the latesttowing equipment, there's a good
chance your company has fallenbehind.
Savvy consumers can quicklytell which towing companies
(21:57):
provide the best service.
In many cases, the quality ofyour equipment and supplies can
make a huge difference.
Our representatives areknowledgeable in the towing
industry, so for the best towingequipment and supplies, count
on the team at Towing EquipmentDirect.
Browse our catalog online attowingequipmentdirectcom or give
us a call at 910-747-9000.
(22:20):
That's 910-747-9000.
We look forward to serving you.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Welcome back listeners.
This is the number one podcastin the towing and recovery
industry the American Towing andRecovery Institute podcast with
Wes Wilburn, dj Harrington andour special guest, anna Wingard.
By all means remember to like,review and share everywhere.
If you want to hear anotherindustry expert like Anna, by
(22:49):
all means call the podcasthotline 706-409-5603.
And Wes and Tanya and DJ willdo our best to get you on the
podcast Without further ado, letme pass it back on over to Wes
and Tanya.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Tanya, that's exactly right.
So the caption that I seen,anna, was the other 25 letters
in the alphabet, and if plentydoesn't work, I love that.
I'm just going to remember thatfor the rest of my life,
exactly what it felt like.
It's, I'm sure, I'm 100 sure,I'm sure, but that's what
(23:33):
perseverance and just keepmoving forward does, that's what
it achieves, you know,especially when you consider the
pandemic was in the middle ofall this yes and for y'all to
keep going afterwards.
Yes, god bless, god bless sowith that mountain that you
climbed and I'm sure I'm surethere's still work to be done on
the slow down move over.
I'm sure there's still littleaspects of it that need to be
(23:54):
tweaked.
But what else are you guysworking on?
What else is the associationdoing?
Anything current coming up?
Speaker 6 (24:13):
think sometimes lobbyists have a bad reputation,
but lobbying has been paramountfor us and we absolutely could
not do it without our lobbyists.
So I think our lobbyist hasgiven us really, really great
advice, and she says that weshould always try to make
changes non-legislatively.
First.
We should try to find a way tochange policies and procedures,
make relationships better,before trying to change the law.
So we have spent a good portionof this year investigating
(24:40):
those options in pretty much twodifferent arenas, due to the
fact that our kind of goal as anassociation wasn't so much on
the towing side, it was more ofthe impound side.
So of course, a lot of towingbusinesses aren't just towing
from point A to point B, butthey're bringing a lot of police
impounds, private propertyimpounds back to their lot and,
as in South Carolina, a lot ofour towing businesses are saying
(25:03):
, hey, more and more cars arebeing left with us than ever
before, and I think a lot ofthat has to do with the economy.
I think that people are buyingvehicles and they are probably
spending all the money that theyhave on a vehicle.
They're unable to then properlypay insurance, properly pay
taxes, properly pay tag fees,that sort of thing.
(25:25):
So when they get pulled overfor speeding, they're having
multiple violations and they'regetting their car impounded.
and then they're unable to comeretreat their vehicle.
So it's kind of just a littlesummary of why we kind of think
that we're being left with moreand more vehicles.
So we have been trying toexercise our rights by being
(25:46):
able to reclaim vehicles themost fastest way that takes the
least amount of paperwork,essentially bypassing magistrate
court.
So the Towing Association.
There's two different routes todo that.
One route is to go through ourSouth Carolina Department of
Motor Vehicles and another wayis to go through that with our
Sheriff's Department.
So as an association werealized that there was two laws
(26:08):
that we can exercise.
And then we saw that theSheriff's Department was not
exercising their right on theirpart by not having a statewide
form.
So anyway, we worked with theSheriff's Association in our
state to make sure there was astatewide form so that towing
services can properly dismantle,sell to a recycler, you know,
to crush the vehicle withouthaving to go through magistrate
(26:30):
court.
So we were able to do that,which we felt like was a great
thing because again, that didn'trequire any laws to be changed.
And then we've also been workingwith our Department of Motor
Vehicles Even when a vehiclegoes through magistrate court
and we're able to get the titlelater to the vehicle.
(26:51):
There's been some titlingissues that we've been working
with the DMV on.
We've been actually workingwith the DMV on a way that we
can take ownership of mopedswithout having to go through
magistrate court, which kind ofsounds silly, but I don't think
that towing mopeds are any towoperators favorite thing to tow.
(27:11):
But it becomes cumbersome whenwe have to go through magistrate
court for these things that areonly worth $500.
So we're currently working withour Department of Motor
Vehicles so that we canpotentially sell a vehicle
without having to go throughmagistrate court, having to go
through magistrate court.
(27:31):
So those are just a coupleexamples of things that we're
trying to help towing businesseswith that are more so on the
back end business side of thingsmore so than the towing side.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
Yeah, well, that's one of the great things of what
state associations do?
I have a question or two I'dlike to ask in there Is private
property a big business, privateproperty telling a big business
in South Carolina.
Speaker 6 (27:55):
All over the state, a good bit of private property
impound business down there, somuch so that Charleston County
(28:16):
and even more specific citieslike the city of Charleston have
government mandated towingrates for private property
impounds and even an array ofregulations like when the towing
service can and can't be opento release vehicles, that sort
of thing.
So yes, so that definitely isGreenville County.
(28:38):
Some people might be familiarwith the city of Greenville.
There's a bunch of plants orthings like that, like BMW plant
is up there, and thatjurisdiction as well mandates
the towing rates and all sortsof things related to private
property impounds.
So I think it just varies.
I'm right outside of a collegetown and my business does a
(29:00):
little bit of private propertyimpounds, but it's not a big
portion of what our businessdoes.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
And one last question on the subject, and we'll move
on.
And then one last question onthe subject, and we'll move on.
As far as cars left, is itequal between the private
property, percentage-wise, andthe law enforcement toes of what
you get left with, or?
Speaker 6 (29:27):
is it more one or the other?
I think that it might vary onthe nature of the private
property impound.
If it's a private propertyimpound where someone just
parked, you know, at the wrongrestaurant for lunch and then
came back to get their vehicle30 minutes later and it's gone,
of course they're very likely topick up their car.
That private property impoundson the other side of the
(29:52):
spectrum like if a grocery store, shopping center complex calls
and says this car has beenabandoned on our lot for seven
days and it's blocking ourdumpster, obviously somebody has
already abandoned that car.
So the likelihood that they aregoing to pick it up from the
towing service later is slim tonone, because it's technically
already really been abandonedone time.
It's just you're moving thevehicle from one place to
another.
(30:15):
I think also the nature of apolice impound would determine
whether it was going to bepicked up or not from the tow
impound yard.
If it's a violation, if theywere arrested, then they're most
likely to come pick up the carafter they get in, you know, out
of jail, but also with recs.
We are seeing more and morepeople with loans on their car
(30:36):
who do not have active insurancepolicies like absolutely
uninsured.
So I really don't think thatyou could say that the nature of
the impound would determinewhether it's more likely to be
picked up or not from theimpound yard.
At this point I think there'sseveral factors that are going
into it.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
Fair enough, good answer, thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
I have a question going back a little bit from
what you said.
You said that you were workingwithin the laws.
Speaker 4 (31:04):
first, Rules first Rules the rules first before
changing the laws.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
You said that you work with the Sheriff's
Department and DMV Do you haveany advice to our 16,000
listeners out there on how toapproach that in their states.
Speaker 6 (31:26):
Yeah.
So I think one of the reasonswhy I feel like the Towing
Association in 2024 has been sosuccessful is we have been
knocking on people's doorsleadership positions for about
two years and we've been told no.
And even though we've been toldno, like we're not going to
meet with you, we're stillasking six months later like,
(31:46):
hey, nothing has changed.
I sent you an email I asked tomeet with you.
Hey, nothing has changed.
I sent you an email I asked tomeet with you.
Whichever organization it mightbe, I still want to meet with
you.
I just definitely thinkpersistence pays off and I think
the biggest kind of way that wegot our foot in the door with
the DMV is being persistent andliterally looking up the
(32:07):
leadership positions on theSouth Carolina Department of
DMV's website, finding theiremail address and sending them
an email and just not beingafraid to do so, and we've
essentially that's kind of howwe got our foot in the door.
And then the next step isbecause we had started to
communicate with the DMV.
We were invited this year theTowing Association to the
(32:30):
stakeholder meeting for theDepartment of Motor Vehicles and
that was really a home run forus because we were literally
sitting at the same table as thehead of the DMV, which his boss
is, the governor of SouthCarolina.
We sat with the attorney of theSouth Carolina Department of
Motor Vehicles and then theother people at the table was
(32:51):
the Recyclers Association ofSouth Carolina, the Motor Coach
Association, the Association ofCounties, so it was every major
association in the state ofSouth Carolina that had any
interest in vehicles and it wasa great, great way.
And I was able to tell you knowthe director of the DMV I've
started working on with somepeople in your leadership on
(33:14):
these problems in South Carolinaand how the DMV has a way to
help us, which then helps themotoring public, which is always
important to tie your problemsas an association to the general
public, public.
And basically, at the end ofwhen I had a chance to speak,
the director of the DMV said allright, well, we're going to
make sure, or I'm going to makesure, that these things, you
(33:36):
know, get handled by myleadership.
So even though I wascommunicating with one person in
the DMV to help me, theattorney heard it and his boss
heard it.
So I feel like we're definitelygoing to be able to get those
things changed and we finallyfeel like we're to a point where
our industry is beingrecognized and understood, that
what happens in our industryimpacts the DMV and impacts
(33:58):
everybody on the road.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Not only recognized and understood, but taken
seriously because and respected.
You definitely made that happenin the state of South Carolina.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 6 (34:09):
So definitely persistence.
If you get five no's fromsomebody, continue on.
Find another way to find a yes.
One of the things that our stateassociation is really excited
to do in 2025, and I'm not sureif other state houses do this,
but the state of South Carolinaallows for breakfasts and
(34:31):
lunches to happen at the statehouse, and we have been on a
wait list for three years to beable to do this, so we are going
to be able to, as anassociation, host a breakfast at
the actual state house for allof the legislators and their
staff members, and it's at thestate house, so we're not asking
them to come to our event andasking them to be away from work
(34:55):
.
This is in their territory andconvenient for them and their
staff members, and so I wouldencourage any state association
that's listening to this to besure to see if that's an option
for them, because it's a greatway for us to be able to I love
this statement but to sit at thesame table as them, because we
could come into their office andtalk to them all day long, but
(35:16):
there's something very specialabout sharing a meal, you know,
with somebody you want to getwork done with.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
How true, how true, excellent.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Sounds like you've definitely set the table.
If we want to go back to thetable analogy, for it may seem
like it's been overnight to somepeople, but you've been working
towards this.
Your association's been workingtowards this, but you've been
working towards this for thelast five years and here you are
and your state has benefited.
The towers in your state havebenefited from it.
(35:49):
Hopefully, they know thatbenefited.
Speaker 4 (35:51):
the Towers in your state have benefited from it.
Hopefully they know that Ifyou're a Toward in the state of
South Carolina, you shoulddefinitely consider joining.
I guess as a matter ofdisclosure, I should say I have
a warm spot in my heart for theToward Recovery Association of
South Carolina.
They made me an honorarylifetime member and I always
appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
How do you become?
A member in the state of SouthCarolina.
Where do you, where do youreach out to?
Speaker 6 (36:16):
Sure, normally I would say you would go to
trafcnet, but our website isactually being revamped, but our
email address is trafcT-R-A-S-C 2015 at gmailcom, and
if you just shoot us an email,that that way we can basically
send an invoice and basicallyall the rest of the information
about becoming a member, andwe're just hoping that we have a
(36:38):
nice new website that'll makethings easier and that,
unfortunately, takes some time.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
I'm going to do with it.
You know it's going to befabulous.
Yes.
Speaker 6 (36:47):
We also have a Facebook page.
There is a private Facebookpage that a lot of times people
try to get into, but really it'sjust a public Facebook page.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
It's the Going and.
Speaker 6 (36:54):
Recovering Association of South Carolina.
You've been a great guestDeanna.
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (37:02):
Wes anything you want to add to that on the air?
Speaker 4 (37:04):
No just thank you and keep up the good work.
Speaker 6 (37:07):
Thanks, wes, I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (37:09):
Thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com