Assemblyman Bob Gordon

GORDON SEEKS TO STOP PREDATORY PRACTICES,
REIN-IN ROGUE TOW TRUCK OPERATORS
Complaints of Sky-High Fees, Lack of Accountability Spur Legislation

(FAIR LAWN) -- Aiming to counter increasing complaints of heavy-handed practices by unscrupulous rogue tow-truck operators, Assemblyman Bob Gordon said he is drafting legislation to overhaul the practices of the state's towing industry to crack-down on towers who prey on unsuspecting motorists."Some towers have taken a Wild West mentality toward their work, engaging in overly aggressive practices that cross the line into the realm of price gouging and extortion," said Gordon (D-Bergen). "With no real standards in place, more and more motorists are finding their cars held hostage for ransoms that can reach into the hundreds of dollars. It's time that these rogue tow-truck operators be held to some level of accountability."

Gordon said his legislation aims to stop the types of practices depicted in a series of reports in The Record of Hackensack, which told of towers who prowl private parking lots and property in search of cars to tow. The series noted that some motorists were charged fees up to $800 to retrieve their cars, which were towed without warning. Other motorists who were able to intercept tow-truck operators before their cars were removed from parking lots reported having to pay hundreds of dollars just to have their vehicles unhitched.

One story reported that over the last year, Fair Lawn police have been called to mitigate 34 tow-truck driver/motorist confrontations at one parking lot in the borough.

The measure would seek to cap the fees towers could charge, limit how far a car could be towed, and require police notification by the property owner before a vehicle could be towed. The Assemblyman said the legislation also would require the Division of Consumer Affairs to institute a special licensing process for tow-truck operators.

Other states, including California and New York, have instituted minimum standards for tow truck operators, while Virginia created a licensing board to oversee the trade. Federal law also allows states to mandate that a property owner authorize and be present at each tow.

In Bergen County, several municipalities already have enacted local ordinances seeking to rein in rogue towers. However, Gordon said the need remains for statewide policy, as regulations and fee schedules can vary from place to place. Gordon said business and property owners have a right to limit parking access on their lots, but that those rules cannot be enforced "in the current arbitrary and capricious atmosphere."

"Unless we enact a sensible statewide policy, rogue towers will continue to ply their trade in towns where they know they can push the envelope and charge higher fees," said Gordon.

The Assemblyman said the majority of tow-truck drivers operate above-board, but the actions of a few unscrupulous towers have tainted the entire industry to the point where regulation is necessary.

"These proposals would have a minimal impact on the majority of honest tow-truck operators in New Jersey," said Gordon. "What we need to do is stop the over-aggressive actions of a few who have abused the system and made a mockery of their trade."

Gordon said he expects to formally introduce the legislation in December.

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For Release:
November 29, 2006

Assemblyman Robert M. Gordon
(201) 703-9779