Alberta to crackdown on predatory tow truck drivers with new rules
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At a press conference on Wednesday, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the province will be introducing new rules that would now require tow truck drivers or anyone directing tow trucks to remain at least 200 metres from a collision scene, unless instructed by police or the driver of a damaged vehicle. Those who break the rule will be fined $1,000.
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'A small number of bad actors are towing vehicles without providing necessary information to vehicle owners and charging excessive fees. They are financially capitalizing on emotionally vulnerable individuals who have been involved in a collision,' Dreeshen said.
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While the rules apply to tow truck operators, drivers, police and emergency personnel can still request towing services when needed.
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In May, Edmonton Police Service superintendent Angela Kemp said owners of 10 towing companies were charged with fraud. She said during the investigation police discovered numerous tow truck companies in Edmonton were reportedly fraudulently billing insurance companies for services that were not provided.
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Police learned the companies were allegedly inflating bills, including charges to insurance companies for upwards of $5,000 for basic collision tows.
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'At this time, police estimate that these 10 companies have cost over $200,000 in fees that affect every Albertan and charges to our insurance companies,' Kemp said.
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'Drivers should not have to worry about being taken advantage of by the people who are supposed to show up and help them, and that's when we're talking about tow truck drivers. Please ensure that you are only using the tow truck provider that you have called.'
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Jeff Kasbrick, vice-president of advocacy and operations at the Alberta Motor Association, said over the last year and a half, there's been an increase in incidents of predatory towing. He said they're hearing 'almost daily reports' in the industry.
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'What we want to be doing is making sure that regardless of whether or not emergency services are attending a collision scene, or if it's one that can be reported directly at a collision reporting centre that there's good knowledge about what these rules are,' Kasbrick said.
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