Letter: Predatory towing

First Published Mar 09 2013 01:01 am • Last Updated Mar 09 2013 01:01 am

Re "Bill has watered-down consumer protection from tow operators" (Tribune, March 2):

Victims of predatory towing on private property — it’s time to be heard!

I’ve attended discussions hosted by Rep. Keven Stratton, R-Orem, regarding HB115, which is designed to begin to address the egregious and predatory practices of some companies that tow cars without owner or police action.

A group 12-15 towing companies, along with others, agreed to a few minimal changes to the current statutes that would require:

• towers to accept credit cards,

• towers to provide people being towed a copy of their towing bill of rights, which explains state and city laws,

• the Utah Department of Transportation to study the towing industry.

In spite of this agreement, the towing industry showed up en masse last Friday to oppose Stratton’s amended bill.

If you would like to see the law changed to reduce or eliminate predatory towing, contact your Utah House and Senate legislators at www.le.utah.gov.

The towing lobby in Utah is strong. Without substantial citizen input, nothing is likely to happen.

Mike Roan

Provo

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