The Northampton County American Automobile Association (AAA) Club, which is active within my legislative district, operates a fleet of roadside assistance vehicles that provide multiple forms of assistance to stranded motorists including fuel delivery, flat tire replacement, and battery replacement, among others, on our major interstates which is extremely dangerous.

Presently, state law allows tow trucks to operate blue lights while the truck is stationary on the side of the road or highway while responding to a disabled vehicle. The flashing blue lights are a safety warning intended to capture the attention of motorists so that they provide ample room to the responders providing roadside assistance.

Although AAA Club light duty trucks do not have towing capabilities, they are regularly performing winch outs, which utilize a motorized axle with a cable or rope to pull a vehicle out of a stuck position, such as mud, snow, or other difficult terrains. This method is distinct from towing, as it involves using controlled force to extract the vehicle rather than moving it.

In order to increase the visibility of roadside assistance vehicles of the kind operated by AAA clubs, and other similar type services, throughout the Commonwealth, I intend to introduce legislation to extend to light duty service trucks the same ability as presently provided to tow trucks, that is to display blue lights on their lightbar and taillights while they are stationary on the side of the road rendering assistance.

It is imperative that roadside assistance vehicles be provided this same protection as they carry out their often hazardous duties in aiding stranded motorists along the roads and highways of Pennsylvania. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.