THE LOCALER
On the Road With Tow Truck Operator Justin Nadeau
Find out what it’s like providing motorists with roadside assistance for CAA Manitoba.
By Sarah Laing | Original photography and videography by Jerry Grajewski
What’s the best part of Justin Nadeau’s job as a tow truck driver for CAA Manitoba Members? That’s easy to answer, says Nadeau. “It’s helping out people when they’re stranded, especially in winter, or when they’re [stuck] in a ditch or they’ve blown a tire.”
Nadeau has been working as a tow truck driver at Niverville Towing since 2010. He now owns the tow company, which is located in the town of Niverville, about 30 km south of Winnipeg. In the 16 years he has been in the industry, Nadeau has seen a wide range of roadside emergency situations — everything from breakdowns and flat tires to accident scenes, which he’s had to clear for the police.
Cold weather comes with its own common issues. What Nadeau sees most often is specific to Manitoba’s famously frigid winters, when temperatures can plummet as low as –45°C and create a deep freeze: vehicles won’t start. He says the problem is with people not plugging in their cars, explaining that it is necessary to use a block heater. It keeps a vehicle’s fluids warm so the engine doesn’t seize up in the cold. Block heaters also reduce the strain on the battery, and keep the engine block warm to protect it from damage when it starts.
There are other season-specific issues that result in tow-truck calls, he says. In summertime, it’s collisions, overheating and blown tires. These are common occurrences because drivers leave their winter tires on. Winter tires are made to resist the cold, but the rubber doesn’t handle hot roads well and should always be changed to all-season or summer tires when temperatures consistently stay above 7°C.
Justin Nadeau, owner of Niverville Towing in Niverville, Manitoba.
“It’s helping out people when they’re stranded, especially in winter, or when they’re [stuck] in a ditch or they’ve blown a tire.”
But whatever the weather, Nadeau emphasizes the importance of drivers obeying the Slow Down, Move Over (SDMO) law when they see tow truck operators performing a CAA towing service — or any other first responder or emergency vehicle working on the roadside.
The SDMO law was created to keep roadside workers safe, and it’s very simple to follow, Nadeau says. But many drivers don’t follow the law. If the posted speed limit is less than 80 km/h, you are required to slow down to 40 km/h. If the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, you are required to slow down to 60 km/h. If caught, the consequences are a $298 fine plus two demerit points. “If you don’t slow down and move over, you clearly didn’t see us — or [you don’t know how it feels to be in that situation],” he says.
Decreasing speed to the prescribed limits and, if safe to do so, moving a lane over creates more space on the side of the road for tow operators to work. Even when slowing down, cars still move by quickly and pose a danger to exposed roadside workers. Nadeau has seen firsthand the consequences of reckless driving and ignoring that rule. He has witnessed close calls — including passing cars ripping mirrors off and even colliding with — tow trucks. A few years ago, his flatbed truck was hit head-on.
If you start experiencing car trouble on the road and your vehicle is still drivable — even if only at a low speed — Nadeau recommends continuing to a safer place to stop, putting as much distance as possible between your vehicle and passing traffic. Look for a driveway, a gravel road off the highway, or, if no better option is available, pull over as close to the ditch or guardrail as you safely can. “Stay in your car,” he adds. “Don’t get out.” This includes not leaving the vehicle to look at your tires or under your hood. Remain in your seat with your seatbelt on and wait for a professional tow operator to arrive. Your vehicle is the safest place to be.
To help avoid collisions, Nadeau offers three simple safety tips for motorists: “Get off your phone. [Watch] the road. Pay attention.” CAA
As an approved contractor for CAA Manitoba, Niverville Towing helps motorists in a variety of roadside situations — from getting vehicles moving again to safely towing them away.
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Justin Nadeau, owner of Niverville Towing in Niverville, Manitoba.
THE LOCALER
On the Road with Tow Truck Operator Justin Nadeau
Find out what it’s like providing motorists with roadside assistance for CAA Manitoba.
By Sarah Laing | Original photography and videography by Jerry Grajewski
What’s the best part of Justin Nadeau’s job as a tow truck driver for CAA Manitoba Members? That’s easy to answer, says Nadeau. “It’s helping out people when they’re stranded, especially in winter, or when they’re [stuck] in a ditch or they’ve blown a tire.”
Nadeau has been working as a tow truck driver at Niverville Towing since 2010. He now owns the tow company, which is located in the town of Niverville, about 30 km south of Winnipeg. In the 16 years he has been in the industry, Nadeau has seen a wide range of roadside emergency situations — everything from breakdowns and flat tires to accident scenes, which he’s had to clear for the police.
Cold weather comes with its own common issues. What Nadeau sees most often is specific to Manitoba’s famously frigid winters, when temperatures can plummet as low as –45°C and create a deep freeze: vehicles won’t start. He says the problem is with people not plugging in their cars, explaining that it is necessary to use a block heater. It keeps a vehicle’s fluids warm so the engine doesn’t seize up in the cold. Block heaters also reduce the strain on the battery, and keep the engine block warm to protect it from damage when it starts.
There are other season-specific issues that result in tow-truck calls, he says. In summertime, it’s collisions, overheating and blown tires. These are common occurrences because drivers leave their winter tires on. Winter tires are made to resist the cold, but the rubber doesn’t handle hot roads well and should always be changed to all-season or summer tires when temperatures consistently stay above 7°C.
But whatever the weather, Nadeau emphasizes the importance of drivers obeying the Slow Down, Move Over (SDMO) law when they see tow truck operators performing a CAA towing service — or any other first responder or emergency vehicle working on the roadside.
The SDMO law was created to keep roadside workers safe, and it’s very simple to follow, Nadeau says. But many drivers don’t follow the law. If the posted speed limit is less than 80 km/h, you are required to slow down to 40 km/h. If the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, you are required to slow down to 60 km/h. If caught, the consequences are a $298 fine plus two demerit points. “If you don’t slow down and move over, you clearly didn’t see us — or [you don’t know how it feels to be in that situation],” he says.
Decreasing speed to the prescribed limits and, if safe to do so, moving a lane over creates more space on the side of the road for tow operators to work. Even when slowing down, cars still move by quickly and pose a danger to exposed roadside workers. Nadeau has seen firsthand the consequences of reckless driving and ignoring that rule. He has witnessed close calls — including passing cars ripping mirrors off and even colliding with — tow trucks. A few years ago, his flatbed truck was hit head-on.
If you start experiencing car trouble on the road and your vehicle is still drivable — even if only at a low speed — Nadeau recommends continuing to a safer place to stop, putting as much distance as possible between your vehicle and passing traffic. Look for a driveway, a gravel road off the highway, or, if no better option is available, pull over as close to the ditch or guardrail as you safely can. “Stay in your car,” he adds. “Don’t get out.” This includes not leaving the vehicle to look at your tires or under your hood. Remain in your seat with your seatbelt on and wait for a professional tow operator to arrive. Your vehicle is the safest place to be.
To help avoid collisions, Nadeau offers three simple safety tips for motorists: “Get off your phone. [Watch] the road. Pay attention.” CAA
As an approved contractor for CAA Manitoba, Niverville Towing helps motorists in a variety of roadside situations — from getting vehicles moving again to safely towing them away.