OOIDA welcomes Maryland towing rule changes
A new law in Maryland is touted to establish basic consumer protections for truck drivers and motor carriers involved in a nonconsensual tow in the state.
Established in the new law are requirements and procedures for the “police-initiated towing” of certain commercial vehicles at the request of the Maryland State Police.
Per-pound billing is outlawed in the new rule. State police also must make available, upon request, a tow list of qualifying tow companies for use by troopers in carrying out duties. A complaint process for resolving disputes also is required.
Authorized tow companies must submit a rate sheet to the deputy superintendent of police for a police-initiated towing.
Companies are prohibited from charging more than the rates on the rate sheet. Companies can charge less than the approved rates.
A vehicle owner or operator is allowed to request the use of a specific towing company. DSP must honor that request.
The requirement does not apply in certain circumstances. An example of exception is if the requested company cannot arrive “within a reasonable time period” or other circumstances exist that would delay arrival.
One more provision establishes that “authorized tow companies” must provide reasonable access to vehicles that are the subject of a police-initiated towing. Requirements related to the release of vehicles and cargo are also outlined. The new rules take effect Oct. 1.
Truckers welcome new law
The Maryland Motor Truck Association and OOIDA backed the pursuit.
OOIDA said the problem has not been with state police but instead with companies that price gouge.
“Our members regularly become victims of unscrupulous towing and recovery companies that continue to take advantage of the system, often times inflating their invoices by tens of thousands of dollars,” a previous OOIDA letter stated.
OOIDA also said the rule change removes a loophole that permitted bad actors to charge whatever they wanted. The Association submitted to lawmakers examples of excessive charges. One example showed a $77,100 charge for clearing an overturned tractor-trailer blocking a roadway. LL