Ward 14 - Peter Demong

Notice of Motion: Tow Truck Tricks

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  • November 26, 2024

What many are finding across Alberta, and even across the country, is pushy behaviour from tow truck drivers who have arrived, unsolicited, at the scene of an accident. They make untrue claims to convince you to use their tow service and often provoke altercations with you and even first responders. Once they have possession of your vehicle, you may not be able to access it without paying an outrageous fee.

My Notice of Motion proposed using the typical levers that the City has at its disposal including bylaws, licenses, fees, and penalties. Those are all great, but I have found a little bit of information can go a long way toward preventing scams like this.

Over the course of researching tow truck practices, my team and I have had the opportunity to meet with those in the towing industry. They have some helpful tips to protect yourself from wrongdoers.

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) knows their way around the towing industry, and they have developed a list of your “towing rights” as an Albertan.

  1. You have the right to refuse unsolicited towing services.
  2. You have the right to choose who tows your vehicle, and where, unless otherwise directed by police.
  3. You have the right to access your vehicle to retrieve personal items during a storage facility’s business hours.
  4. You have the right to ask if the towing company receives a kickback for taking your vehicle to a particular storage facility or repair shop.
  5. You have the right to a quote prior to service, and an itemized invoice prior to making payment. 

Albertans can visit ama.ab.ca/KnowBeforeTheTow to download a digital copy of their towing rights, helping them feel confident if faced with a tow scam. Soon all AMA centres will offer free print versions, which are small enough to tuck in a glovebox.

  • First Brought to Council: November 26, 2024
  • Outcome: Carried Unanimously

Read the Notice of Motion HERE.

Categories: Motions and Initiatives

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