March 15, 2013 – Toronto, Ontario — Every Friday, Canadian Towing & Recovery presents a round-up of news from our neighbours to the south. This week we’ve got the story of lawmakers in Utah who are trying to cut down on predatory towing practices, a police chief in California who says a new impound bill will increase injury and fatal car crashes, and much, much more.
Predatory towing focus of House bill
Salt Lake City, Utah — State lawmakers want to give the hook to predatory towing practices. Members of the House voted 66-4 on Tuesday to require tow truck operators to accept debit or credit card payments as well as post new signage requirements on costs and forms of payment.The measure now moves to the Senate.
Council overturns veto of lower towing fees
Springfield, Illinois — The Springfield City Council overrode Mayor Mike Houston’s veto Tuesday of a proposal to reduce the fee for towing a car used in certain crimes. The fee was $500. The ordinance in question reduces the fee to $250 for a first-time offender.
City council prohibits unsolicited tow trucks from responding to accidents
Youngstown, Ohio — Unsolicited tow trucks are no longer allowed to respond to accidents in Youngstown, Oh.
Police chief protests car impound bill
Fontana, California — An assembly bill that would prevent police from impounding vehicles driven by unlicensed motorists met with dissent this week as the Fontana police chief wrote a letter in protest of the bill to its author.
Assembly Bill 335, introduced by Assemblywoman Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) in February, would prohibit police from impounding vehicles that can be parked legally or released to a licensed driver, according to Brown’s website.
