Tow truck drivers charged under new regional bylaw for showing up at crash site

WATERLOO REGION — Two tow truck drivers were charged under a new regional bylaw that prohibits tow truck drivers to be within 200 metres of an accident scene unless called by police or the drivers involved in the crash.

On Tuesday, Waterloo Regional Police charged the drivers after both of them showed up at a crash site at Block Line Road and Homer Watson Boulevard without being called there by police or the drivers.

Staff Sgt. Mike Hinsperger, head of traffic, said the drivers arrived at the crash site which involved two cars and attempted to solicit business with the drivers to repair their vehicles.

Hinsperger said the issue has been a problem in the past months until the bylaw came into place.

He said it was not uncommon to see “numerous tow truck operators swarm persons involved in collisions.”

“They were getting into actual arguments at collision scenes,” Hinsperger said.

Hinsperger said the operators are listening to the emergency services’ scanners and know where police are dispatched to crashes.

“There is a race to get to the scene and negotiate a deal so they get the tow,” he said.

The deal could lead to a contract of several thousands of dollars with the tow charge as well as repair work at a body shop, Hinsperger said.

Some come from as far as Toronto to a crash scene in the region, Hinsperger said.

“Because of the amount of money involved, they made the trip to Waterloo Region,” he said. “They were racing with local companies to get to the accident site.”

In addition to the charges against the drivers, the company was charged. A commercial vehicle inspection was also completed on one of the tow trucks, and one truck was found to have a defective braking system. The vehicle’s plates were removed and it was towed from the scene.

Hinsperger said there was a real need for legislation to regulate tow truck drivers.

“They (drivers) have enough to worry about and don’t need to be harassed by tow companies,” he said.

Angelo Apfelbaum, manager of licensing and enforcement services for the Region of Waterloo, said the traffic and parking bylaw was amended to include the provision limiting tow truck operators from being within 200 metres of a crash site unless called there by police.

It was put into place in February to address the safety of emergency personnel who are at the crash site to transport people to hospital or treat them, and police investigating the crash. The fine is $400.