Lawmakers debate tow-truck lighting bill after drivers report near-fatal roadside incidents; referral to interim study proposed

A proposed bill to permit tow-truck operators to use red-and-white warning lights drew sharp concern in a Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee, with several senators and first responders warning that red lights could be mistaken for fire or ambulance signals.

The sponsor introduced the bill saying a constituent tow-truck driver "was almost killed, 3 times in 2 weeks" on rural roads without shoulders and asked lawmakers to "please try to do something to help keep them a little bit safer on the road." The sponsor said the proposal was not a mandate but would allow tow-truck drivers the option of using red-and-white lights after law enforcement asked for that change.

Senator Sample said many fire departments had contacted him opposing the change because motorists might begin to associate red lights with tow trucks and fail to respond appropriately to fire or ambulance signals. "They're extremely worried about tow trucks having red lights and people get used to seeing the red lights on tow trucks, and then them not paying attention to those fire trucks," Sample said, and indicated he would not support the bill.

Committee members noted two individuals had signed up to testify against the bill: Roger Smith and David Teague, identified in the transcript as a fire chief. The sponsor offered to pull the measure and place it in an interim study to seek better solutions; the transcript shows a motion was attempted but records confusion about the mover and does not record a conclusive vote on referral. The committee then adjourned.

Because the transcript does not record a final committee action on this measure, the bill’s status after this meeting is unresolved in the committee record.