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Tow-Truck Operators Seek Regulation

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2007

It's rare when an industry asks the government to step in and have a say on how it conducts business.

But the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida, which represents about 5,000 individuals in the towing industry, wants the state to regulate, license and standardize how tow companies and their truck operators do their jobs.

'The problem is we have unscrupulous towers. There's really no place for the consumer to go,' said Mike Seamon, an executive with the association.
Seamon believes a bill state Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, plans to file will force dodgy towers out of business and protect motorists. Crist said his mother's car was damaged after it was towed.

'There are a number of folks out there who just put winches on the back of trucks and act as towers. But they really have no experience,' Crist said.

Registration Would Be Required
Crist named his bill after Glen Rich, who was killed in 2006 after Hillsborough deputies say he got into an argument with a tow-truck driver. The driver faces second-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting.

His legislation would require towing companies to pay $495 to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, maintain their licenses in good standing and adhere to standards of practice to be developed by an advisory council.

Although Seamon's organization supports these measures, you may be surprised about the organization that doesn't: AAA, the automobile club which has a membership of 3.1 million.

'We have plenty of laws on the books, both statewide and locally. They just need to be enforced,' said Kevin Bakewell, AAA Auto Club South's senior vice president of public and government relations.

Enforcement typically falls to local police departments and sheriff's offices, which already are stretched thin responding to more urgent calls. Many times, consumers are told to haul towing gripes to court.

Money Is An Issue
Unnecessary regulation isn't the reason for AAA's opposition, according to Seamon and Crist. Both said it boils down to money.

AAA does background checks of companies that respond to members' calls for help. A bill subjecting towers to background checks as a licensing requirement means 'you wouldn't have to join them or be a part of them to be assured that,' Crist said.
Seamon said without the legislation, towers are shortchanged. 'AAA pays the least of any reimbursement company,' he said.
Bakewell agreed money is an issue. 'You're talking about raising rates for those calling for emergency road service in need of assistance, or in some of the rural areas, literally putting people out of business just for the sake of regulation that isn't necessary,' he said.

'What we have to do is enforce the laws we already have.'

'There is an enforcement element of this that protects consumers and gives them some kind of leverage in situations when they do arise,' Crist said.

Two Florida governors vetoed previous attempts at regulating the towing industry. Crist said that hasn't stopped - and won't stop - him from filing his bill for the 11th time in the next session.

Share your towing comments and complaints with Crist by e-mailing him at crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov.

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