Crack Down on Predatory Towing

Predatory towing ensnares drivers by towing their vehicles for ambiguous or unjustified reasons, leading to the loss of their cars without proper recourse or due process. Moreover, victims often face the burden of paying exorbitant fees, highlighting the systemic abuse within the towing industry.

Why It’s a Problem

Predatory towing poses multifaceted challenges that extend beyond mere inconvenience. Incidents of fights and violence at tow lots not only compromise public safety but also strain law enforcement resources. The largely non-consensual nature of towing, coupled with exorbitant fees averaging $150 per tow, underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation within the towing industry. Moreover, amidst economic hardships exacerbated by the pandemic, where a significant portion of the population struggles to cover basic expenses, the sudden financial burden of retrieving a towed vehicle can plunge individuals into deeper financial distress. This burden disproportionately affects communities of color and exacerbates existing socio-economic disparities, especially considering that millions of cars are impounded annually for minor infractions unrelated to public safety. For marginalized populations, such as those experiencing vehicular homelessness, the loss of a vehicle can strip away not only shelter and possessions but also vital access to work, education, and mobility, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion.

Here’s the Solution

The Coalition for Motorists Rights proposes a comprehensive approach to address the predatory towing problem, advocating for collaboration among government bodies, local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations. Key measures include incentivizing lot sharing to alleviate pressure on parking spaces and ensure fair access. They propose immediate release of towed vehicles regardless of payment status, with billing sent to the registered owner, promoting accountability and preventing car hostage situations. Tow truck drivers must adhere to strict protocols, including photo and video documentation of the tow process and providing digital evidence to vehicle owners for transparency. Additionally, towing regulations would prohibit towing for expired safety/registration stickers or unpaid parking tickets, with mandatory police notification prior to towing. Contracts between towing companies and businesses would have limited durations to prevent exploitation, while victims of vehicle theft would be exempt from associated fees. To curb reliance on fines and fees, a cap on locality funding from traffic violations is proposed. Law enforcement and businesses would have clear criteria for towing, emphasizing public safety and fair practices. Furthermore, measures such as signage requirements and awareness campaigns aim to enhance transparency and educate communities on towing issues. Through these initiatives, the Coalition aims to uphold motorists’ rights, promote transparency, and mitigate the adverse impacts of predatory towing practices.

Here’s How Your Life Will Improve

Cracking down on predatory towing is expected to yield a range of positive outcomes supported by bipartisan consensus, fostering a solution that benefits all stakeholders. By implementing stricter regulations, there will be a significant reduction in predatory towing instances, safeguarding individuals from unjust financial burdens and preventing the loss of livelihood among lower-income and diverse communities. Such measures also aim to mitigate the risk of individuals facing bankruptcy or falling into poverty due to unforeseen towing expenses. Moreover, the crackdown ensures the protection of car owners’ due process rights and promotes consumer protection by curbing coercion in the towing industry. This initiative further discourages crony capitalism practices, thereby promoting fair treatment of residents and preventing unnecessary emotional distress associated with the loss of critical access to personal belongings stored in towed vehicles. Ultimately, these measures seek to foster a fairer and more equitable environment for motorists while addressing systemic issues within the towing industry.

The Facts About Predatory Towing

The facts about predatory towing are clear…

Legal Action: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, about 1 in 7 of all reported auto thefts in the United States result from towing.
Decentralized Industry: The decentralized nature of this industry makes it nearly impossible to collect enough comprehensive data to ascertain specific estimates regarding the exact size and scope of this issue. There is no single authority or source of truth to provide such figures as they relate to the revenue generated from impounded vehicles, storage fees, towing charges, and local regulations governing impound practices.
Revenue: One thing is clear. The towing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. The International Towing and Recovery Museum estimated an annual revenue exceeding $6 billion and the American Towing and Recovery Institute estimating $8 billion generated annually.
Negative Public Perception: Allowing predatory towing undermines the public trust in local authorities and erodes the trust in local government.
Tow Truck Operations: According to industry estimates, there are over 50,000 tow truck companies operating in the United States, varying from small local operators to large national chains.
Impound Lots: Predatory towing often leads to vehicles being impounded, and the impound lot industry is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Litigation: Predatory towing practices frequently result in legal disputes between consumers, towing companies, and property owners, adding to the legal burden on affected parties.

Next Steps

The Coalition for Motorists Rights is dedicated to advocating for a crackdown on predatory towing, recognizing its adverse impact on individuals and communities. Through grassroots mobilization, legislative engagement, and strategic alliances, we aim to effect meaningful reform and champion the rights of motorists across our state in the following 8 simple steps…

Step 1 – Collect 10k signatures by the start of 2025 legislative session
Step 2 – Present the petitions to legislators
Step 3 – Get legislation introduced in both chambers of the state legislature
Step 4 – Get cosponsors for the bill
Step 5 – Survey Candidates to ask if they’ll support or cosponsor our bill
Step 6 – Promote those candidates in support
Step 7 – Reach out to statewide candidates for 2025 and try to enlist their support
Step 8 – Educate people on the true impact of predatory towing

How Are Other States Addressing the Issue

States across the nation are taking decisive actions to combat predatory towing practices and protect motorists’ rights. In Arizona, drivers are entitled to immediate retrieval of their towed vehicles, curtailing the potential for prolonged vehicle retention. Meanwhile, Colorado has pioneered the implementation of a motorist bill of rights, incorporating provisions aimed at safeguarding drivers from unjust towing practices. In Virginia, the state has significantly increased predatory towing liability, elevating the minimum penalty from $150 to $500-$1000 per violation. By integrating aspects of towing regulations into the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, fines can be enforced more effectively, providing a robust deterrent against predatory behavior. These legislative initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the need to regulate the towing industry and uphold consumer rights, setting precedents for other states to follow in addressing predatory towing practices and ensuring fair treatment for motorists.

The Cost of Inaction

The cost of inaction regarding predatory towing could have significant repercussions for consumers, communities, and the broader economy. Without immediate action to crack down on predatory towing practices, consumers will continue to face financial burdens, emotional distress, and inconvenience resulting from unjust towing fees and aggressive tactics by towing companies. Furthermore, unchecked predatory towing undermines trust in local businesses and erodes community cohesion. The negative impact extends beyond individual consumers to encompass broader economic implications, including decreased consumer spending, potential legal disputes, and reputational damage to affected businesses and municipalities. Failure to address predatory towing not only perpetuates injustices against consumers but also reflects poorly on regulatory authorities tasked with safeguarding consumer rights and promoting fair business practices. Thus, taking decisive action to curb predatory towing is essential to protect consumers, uphold ethical standards in the towing industry, and foster trust within communities.

Why We Need to Act Now

The urgency behind cracking down on predatory towing is palpable, particularly in the current economic climate marked by soaring costs of living and financial strain on individuals and families. With money tight and rents skyrocketing in an inflated economy, every dollar counts for individuals struggling to make ends meet. Predatory towing adds an unnecessary financial burden, often pushing already financially-stressed individuals into deeper debt or even bankruptcy. The fear of losing one’s vehicle to predatory towing compounds the stress and anxiety faced by those living paycheck to paycheck. In such circumstances, the loss of a vehicle can be catastrophic, affecting one’s ability to commute to work, attend essential appointments, or fulfill family obligations. Cracking down on predatory towing is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a pressing economic and social justice issue that demands immediate attention and action to protect vulnerable individuals from further financial hardship and insecurity.

What You Can Do

Do you care about this issue as much as we do? Here’s how you can help…

Sign the Petition
Share the Petition with Your Friends
Post it on Social Media
Contact your legislators
Donate
Run for Office
Talk About it with Your Friends
Get our Bumper Sticker/Yard Signs
Volunteer – Knock Doors for Candidates Friendly to our Cause
Help Fund Our Efforts