Ottawa police lay several charges to 5 tow truck drivers, 10 companies

Ottawa police have laid over a dozen charges to tow truck drivers and serveral companies after another enforcement initiative.

Over the last several months the force has focused efforts on tow truck drivers and companies following the law.

The latest blitz happened over the weekend and resulted in 19 charges against five tow truck drivers and 10 companies. The offences the accused are facing fall under the Towing and Storage Safety Enforcement Act and the Highway Traffic Act.

“The focus of this operation was to uphold public safety and consumer protection by ensuring tow truck operators and drivers complied with legal requirements,” the press release reads.

Some of the charges laid include:

  • Failure to ensure company name displayed on tow trucks as required
  • Failure to post required information outside yard facilities
  • Failure to accurately complete daily inspection reports
  • Providing or attempting to provide services without consent
  • Failure to document consent for services
  • Failure to ensure workers comply with the Act and regulations
  • Improper use of signal devices
  • Failure to comply with certificate conditions

Police said they will continue conducting enforcement and are reminding businesses and drivers to be familiar with the laws.

This comes after provincial police charged two towing companies and a driver after catching them overcharging customers or holding vehicles hostage.

Southway Towing, a driver from the Ottawa-based company, and Pro Solution Towing are facing several charges related to issues with payment, consent and failing to provide information.

On Nov. 27, police received a complain after a tow company refused to release a vehicle from its impound yard. The vehicle was towed there against the owner’s wishes after a collision. The company then told the owner they had to pay more than $5,000 for one week of storage.

“The point of doing that is so they can keep the car and sell it to make more money,” Constable Michael Fathi, with provincial police, said. “They (the company) are required to provide detailed receipts for services provided.”

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