Unauthorized tow truck drivers are showing up at Baltimore City accidents and towing away cars andcharging exorbitant fees, a city councilman said.
Councilman Robert Curran said he wants to crack down on independent tow trucks that are not authorized to tow cars from accident scenes.
Using police scanners, the violators are towing the cars, sometimes charging hundreds of dollars more for tows than their regulated counterparts.
“They?re basically ambulance chasers,” said Curran, D-District 3.
“At this point, I think we?re seeing on average 10 of these unauthorized tows a month that are very costly.”
Curran said he has documented hefty charges resulting in thousands in unwarranted towing fees, and now wants to pass a bill that would impose a $1,000 fine and year in jail on violators.
“I have cases where the drivers have been charged up to $800 for a single tow,” Curran said.
But independent tow truck drivers said Curran is off base, claiming they often charge less for towing than authorized tow trucks.
“We don?t charge more. We?re a lot cheaper than the medallion trucks,” said Adam Milam, the owner of Adam?s Towing.
“They can charge $150, for a tow from an accident scene, where I would charge $50 or $75.”
Milam also said medallion trucks are required to tow cars to the city?s impound lot, resulting in storage fees for motorists.
“I can tow it anywhere the car owner wants, which can also save money,” he said.
The police department towing board grants medallions to tow trucks, which permits them to tow from city accident scenes.
The board also determines the amount the company can charge for the tow.
“I?m not trying to help the tow companies with this bill,” said Curran. “The intent is to protect motorists from the high charges.”
But Milam said the law would restrict competition, keeping towing rates high.
“I think anyone should be able to tow from an accident, it would save everybody money.”
