TOW TRUCK drivers now have to pass an application process to tow for the OPP. Police photo.
Tired of being ripped off by a tow truck stranded beside the highway.
The OPP have heard the complaints and are cracking down on shady tow truck drivers to ‘enhance public safety and help mitigate the increase in criminality in Ontario’s towing industry.’
The police force in a new program said Tow & Storage Service Operators (TSSO) will have to submit and pass an annual application process to provide tow and storage services for the OPP.
TWO tow truck drivers fight on the side of the highway for a towing job. Police photo.
“It also introduces a list of requirements TSSOs must meet before they can provide tow and storage services for police-requested legislated tow,” according to an OPP statement.
The tows apply to those which police have legislated authority to conduct vehicle impoundment for impaired driving, stunt driving or evidence. The program also applies to tows requested by OPP officers on behalf of members of the public who need a tow.
“Applicants will need to provide information relating to ownership, registration, license, vehicle, equipment, insurance and other details in the application,” according to the OPP. “A signed release that authorizes the OPP to conduct a criminal history background check will also be required.”
Applications must be returned to the local OPP detachment by November 1.
THE OPP is now screening tow truck drivers call for tows. CTV News photo.
The OPP will assess the applications and provide notice to the TSSOs and towing associations where applicable. Successful applicants will remain on the OPP Tow List for one year and are subject to suspension and removal from the list in certain circumstances.
The Ministry of Transportation will be implementing a Tow Zone Pilot on defined sections of 400 series highways within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area to help support the development of standards, practices and regulations for the towing and storage sector.
The OPP encourages all tow companies, operators and drivers to educate themselves about the rules and regulations that guide Ontario’s towing cycle.
Each tow request will be documented and each officer can only use a company once per shift.
In the past months there have been officers charged for receiving payments, receiving kickbacks and one for obtaining sexual services for consideration. The cases are before the courts.
The move comes amid a push to rid Ontario’s tow truck industry of criminality that has seen shootings, arsons, assaults and even a homicide, said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.
“We’ve seen a lot of turf war battles between competing tow truck companies. Those put the community and the public at risk,” Schmidt told CTV News.
The application package, new list of mandatory TSSO equipment, guidelines for providing towing services to the OPP and other information are available at www.opp.ca.