A NEW rule that’s coming into force in a matter of weeks sees drivers risk having their cars towed away without any notice.
A major US city’s police department will be given the power to boot or even impound vehicles – even if it has just a single unpaid parking citation outstanding for more than 45 days.
Drivers in a US city risk having their cars towed away without any notice as a new rule comes into force in a matter of weeks[/caption]
The police department will be given the power to boot or even impound vehicles[/caption]
Vehicles will ony be released once all outstanding fines and fees are fully paid[/caption]
According to the Newport News Times, police can use a parking boot on those found to have long-overdue or multiple unpaid parking citations – from August 1.
This can happen, without notice, if just one unpaid parking citation is outstanding for over 45 days, or has four or more unpaid parking violations.
To avoid this happening, car owners are encouraged to pay outstanding fines before the program begins.
The rule, coming to Newport, Oregon, is governed by Newport Municipal Code, chapter 6.50.015.
Drivers can pay outstanding fees in person at Newport City Hall, or online at NewportOregon.gov.
If the worst happens, drivers are advised their vehicles would be released once all outstanding fines and fees are fully paid.
But before that, the city sends two notices to individuals with overdue citations and if there’s no response after the second notice, the citation is sent to collections.
A release from the authorities said: “Newport community members and visitors are encouraged to comply with the restrictions placed on parking, which allow equal access to all parking areas.
“For individuals that receive a parking citation, they are encouraged to pay the fine before collections efforts begin to avoid extra penalties and fees.”
Elsewhere, it seems the end is nigh for the predatory towing industry in North Carolina – as a strict new rule is set to come into force that will ban companies from hooking certain vehicles.
The new law, which is set to come into effect on December 1, prohibits using a boot or any other immobilization device on commercial trucks for the purpose of parking enforcement.
And, according to WBTV, anyone found in violation of the law can be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor.
It comes as, in recent times, tow truck companies have turned towards booting tractor-trailers – simply due to the lack of regulation.
One truck driver, Nicolas Bedney, revealed to reporters in 2021 how he was booted and then towed, later claiming the ordeal set him back thousands of dollars – a cost that’s often passed onto consumers.
He added: “This law not only saves money for the truck driver in terms of attorneys and hotels, it might save lives.”
Indeed, across North Carolina, several dangerous towing and booting situations have been taking place due to legal or legislative oversight.
Another truck driver, Rdele Olive, said he was “booted” in a gas station parking lot by two men in an unmarked car.
The men tried charging him $10,000 to get the thin wire off – but Olive escaped by driving away.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
