What to know when you need a tow

CTV News

7 days ago

Drivers can say 'no' to a tow. CTV's Alexandra Holyk takes a look at roadside rights when dealing with the towing industry.
Police are urging drivers to know their rights when it comes to getting a tow.
'You have a right to choose your tow truck company,' said Const. Matthew Burton with Wellington County OPP. 'Don't feel like you're under pressure or duress to follow their direction.'
The push comes after separate incidents involving tow truck companies in Cambridge, Ont., and Hamilton earlier this month ended in charges.
'You also have a right to know the cost of towing and any kind of fees included,' Burton said. 'And you have a right to your property at the time of retrieval of the vehicle, whether it's at the scene or at a later date.'
Burton said the OPP works with several reputable tow truck companies, but there are still bad actors on the roads.
'There could be tow truck companies out there trying to solicit business,' Burton said. 'Again, the drivers have a right not to use them. They have a right to say no.'
According to local tow truck companies, the signs of a sketchy service can sometimes be easy to spot, saying things like, 'Oh, we need to move you off the side of the road right now, you're in danger where you're sitting … you could get hit here,' noted owner Roy Loveless.
Loveless, who owns Roy's Towing and John's Towing in Elora, Ont., also pointed out pressure tactics in high-stress situations.
'Having a big burly guy walk up to your door … that's knocking on your door and saying, 'I'm going to tow your car,' that could be scary,' he said. 'So lock your door and talk through the [window] crack.'
'Just remember, it's your vehicle,' said Tony Martin, co-owner of Buehler Automotive in Alma, Ont. 'It's your choice what happens to the vehicle.'
That means the driver can also choose to say no.
'Protect yourself on the side of the road and do the right thing,' said Loveless. 'And if you're nervous or you're scared, call the police.'
'There's a lot of horror stories,' Burton said. 'We want to make sure you're safe. We're here to help you through this moment of crisis and help you out.'
'When in doubt, call us,' he continued. 'We'll be able to help you find a good tow truck company.'
Burton added that if a driver finds themselves in a collision, the first step is to pull over and safely get out of their vehicle, or stay buckled up inside with their hazards on if that's not possible.
If the vehicle is still operational, Burton said to avoid the tow and go to a collision reporting centre at the local police station. If there are any injuries or potential criminal involvement, call 911.
What are my rights if I need a tow?
The province of Ontario has set out laws governing how tow truck companies can operate and what protections are available to customers.
Tow truck operators must have a certificate to do business within Ontario and must show the name of their company and certificate number of all vehicles, consent forms and invoices. Drivers must also be prepared to show a copy of their tow driver certificate upon request.
Drivers must consent to a tow, unless the process is initialized by a police officer or other authorized person. For example, a tow truck could be called to remove an illegally parked vehicle.
Tow companies must also provide their rates before towing a vehicle and all rates must be posted at their office and on their website.
Tow truck drivers also cannot show up uninvited. They could face penalties for soliciting services that have not been requested.
A full list of customer rights and tow regulations is available online.