Is the road administration's towing service free if a vehicle breaks down on the highway?
1 Answers
When a vehicle breaks down on the highway, the road administration provides free towing services. This free towing service aims to prevent prolonged vehicle stoppages due to paid towing negotiations or drivers attempting repairs to save costs. It effectively ensures the safety and smooth flow of traffic on the main highway lanes and reduces the risk of secondary accidents. Precautions during towing: Prefer towing bars: If the trailing vehicle has brake issues or towing is required on icy/snowy roads, a towing bar should be prioritized. Rigid towing bars prevent situations where excessive pulling by the lead vehicle or sudden braking could cause the towed vehicle to lose control and collide. Even under normal circumstances, using a towing bar is safer. Select appropriate towing hooks: The towing hook must not merely "hook on" but should be securely fastened and properly installed. Always double-check the hook connection before towing. A poorly secured hook that disengages mid-tow creates significant complications. Plan the route and maintain communication: Choose a towing route with lighter traffic, better road conditions, and shorter distance. Avoid areas with potential hazards like pedestrian zones, logistics hubs, commercial centers, or underground parking lots to minimize secondary accident risks. Ideally, use walkie-talkies for constant communication to address emergencies promptly. At minimum, coordinate via horn signals. Control speed and distance: Towing requires particular attention to speed management and inter-vehicle spacing, as improper handling easily leads to accidents. Never tow at normal driving speeds—maintain a maximum speed of 20 km/h, never exceeding 30 km/h, since non-running vehicles lack vacuum-assisted braking. Maintain an optimal distance of 5-11 meters between vehicles, allowing adequate reaction time if the lead vehicle brakes suddenly.
