In one way, it’s an issue of economic development.
County council agreed on Oct. 28 to consider a bylaw that would prevent tow truck drivers from outside the county’s borders to solicit business anywhere close to accident scenes in Wellington County.
Police Services Board chairman Lynda White presented the report to county council.
The report stated tow truck operators from outside Wellington County are arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle collision after police request a tow truck. Those operators often solicit the work, offering cut rate prices, and the police can do nothing about it if the vehicle owner agrees.
In such cases police do try to contact the county towing company to cancel, but it is often too late. As a result the county operator loses not only the job, but also has added costs and aggravation. The report noted that cancellation is “rarely successful.”
A few years ago, a similar problem was occurring on provincial highways, and the legislature set rules to stop it. Those forbid making an offer of services within 200 metres of an accident or apparent accident scene, or a vehicle involved in an accident, or the King’s Highway.
They also forbid parking a tow truck on a King’s Highway within 200 metres of an accident, apparent accident, vehicle involved in an accident “if there is a sufficient number of tow trucks already at the scene to deal with all vehicles that apparently require the services of a tow truck.”
The report noted in some parts of the county, outside tow truck operators are scanning police calls, arriving at the scenes and then soliciting the involved drivers “to the detriment of tow service providers within Wellington County. The report stated the county OPP is working with the county tow truck operators to resolve the issue and improve the quality of service to residents and visitors using the highway.
The board accepted a draft accident scene bylaw and forwarded it to the county solicitor for review and comment. Council agreed with that proposal.
White said the issue is county operators should be considered for business within the county, and since the county is becoming more involved in economic development, this is one issue that could be considered supporting local business.
Paul Howatt and Steve Paylor, of the Wellington County Tow Group, appeared at the committee on behalf of its members. Others from the group who attended to offer support and to seek a bylaw to prevent “chasers” included Bob Goodliffe, Trevor Roberts, Ken Buehler, Yvonne Jardine, Gary Williamson and Terry Reeves.
