FOR RELEASE
April 25, 2007

FOR INFORMATION
Representative Steve Reinhard – 614.644.1798

Representative Reinhard introduces legislation to combat towing abuses

COLUMBUS– State Representative Steve Reinhard (R- Bucyrus) introduced House Bill 187 today strengthening safety standards for tow truck operators while providing consumer protections against unscrupulous towing practices.

“This issue was first brought to my attention with the tragic death of one of my constituents, who was killed in 2005 when a tow truck pulley crashed through her windshield on I-270 in Columbus,” Reinhard said. “The tow truck operator was proven to be operating irresponsibly with faulty equipment.”

“After exploring the issue further, I discovered that Ohio’s towing industry is grossly under-regulated. This bill takes a comprehensive approach to protecting consumers by remedying the problems associated with the lack of regulation in this state,” he added.

The legislation requires safety standards for tow trucks and equipment, establishes a process to ensure that rates charged for towing are fair and clear, makes vehicle access and payment mechanisms more convenient for consumers, and creates a complaint process for victims of towing abuse.

Supporters of the legislation include law enforcement, Ohio Municipal League and Ohio Insurance Institute.

Complementing the legislation is a Website that provides Ohioans with information on this issue. The site allows those who have been treated unfairly by a towing company to share their story with others.


Additional Resources:
Contact Amanda Peltier, OII, at amandap@ohioinsurance.org or 614-228-1593 for a copy of the bill.


Towing Legislation Summary

To view the bill in its entirety, please visit: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_187

Articles have been reprinted with permission of The Blade of Toledo and the Columbus Dispatch.


Dayton Daily News article titled “Bill would impose more stringent tow penalties,” April 28, 2004. Copyright Dayton Newspapers, Inc., all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.