The Ontario government plans to implement new rules governing how tow trucks can operate in the province to eliminate the practice of “accident chasing”, including a two-year pilot of restricted towing zones in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Based on a provincial task force's recommendations in 2020, the province will establish four tow zones in the GTA starting in the summer of 2021. Tow truck companies will require permission from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or the government to operate within the four zones that will running along provincial highways, such as the 400, 401, and QEW. The move follows the OPP’s rollout of towing guidelines on highways in the GTA last February, outlining what tow truck drivers’ responsibilities are when responding to a towing request from the OPP or a motorist.
Additionally, the provincial government says it will table new legislation designed to enhance standards and improve safety. The province is also forming a new technical advisory group made up of representatives from towing companies, consumer advisory groups, car insurance companies, municipalities, and law enforcement organizations.
The overarching goal is to ensure consumers understand their rights when it comes to getting a tow, reduce violence between competing towing companies, and minimize the number of disputes between insurers and tow-truck operators in small-claims courts.
"Our government is taking action to make the towing industry safer through strengthened oversight and standards," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation in Ontario, in a press release. "Ontario's towing industry is a vital service on our roads and highways every day, and these actions will help to improve safety for all drivers.”
Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act outlines your rights if you need to hire a tow truck. The government introduced rules to regulate tow trucks and vehicle storage services in 2017. Some of the requirements that tow truck operators must follow, including:
If you need to get your vehicle towed, here are a few tips: