Proposed bylaw seeks to curb ‘predatory’ tow truck drivers in Calgary

A city committee is pushing for a change to Calgary's Traffic Bylaw in order to protect motorists from "predatory" tow truck drivers.

A committee tackling the problem of “predatory” tow truck drivers on Calgary streets is looking at toughening a bylaw to help protect motorists.

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The community development committee is seeking an amendment to the city’s Traffic Bylaw to establish a 200-metre buffer zone around crashes to prevent anyone else from responding, unless authorized by police.

The proposal also includes a $10,000 fine for anyone caught breaching that area and a clear definition of a “towing service vehicle.”

The committee was formed to respond to an increase in the prevalence of tow truck drivers showing up at crash scenes, providing drivers with false information and forcing them to sign agreements to tow their vehicles.

Once the agreement is signed, the owners often need to pay inflated prices to get their vehicle back.

Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott, who is a part of the committee, said the issue is occurring at a national level.

“I was surprised at how predatory this practice has become,” he told the media Thursday.

“The first time I heard about it was from other cities and so it wasn’t until it was brought up by Coun. (Peter) Demong and I realized that this was a problem here.”

Jackie Richards, with the Towing and Recovery Association of Alberta, said these “predatory” practices are being perpetrated by “rogue operators.”

“Including overcharging, bullying tactics and exploiting vulnerable motorists in distress,” she said.

The motion will be presented to council for a full debate in the coming weeks.