Bill would put limits on towing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Walking out to find your car has been towed away can ruin your day, but relief could be on the way. If a bill passes the state legislature, it would help put the brakes on some towing frustrations.

Even the owner of Rosak Towing admits tow truck drivers are not exactly the most popular people.

“There’s the good tow truck guys and there’s what we call the bad tow truck guys. The good guys change your flat tire and tow your car to the shop. The bad guy is the guy who’s towing your car away and repossessing your vehicle,” Robert Rosak said. “I’m the bad guy.”

But even this “bad” guy says new regulations are necessary.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “I think it needs to be enforced.”

If the bill passes, it would put limits on towing from private lots in certain areas of the state, including all of New Hanover County and Jacksonville. Cars could not be taken more than 15 miles from where they were parked. Adequate towing signs would need to be displayed. Towing companies would be required to charge reasonable fees to get people their cars back.

Joseph Durgin has been towed from Downtown Wilmington several times. He’s had to pick his car up in Castle Hayne.

“It’s just ridiculous,” Durgin said. “Storage fees. They might damage your car. They’re not responsible for it. Pretty annoying.”

And if towing companies do not follow the rules, they would be the ones getting fined.

The bill has already passed through the Senate, and it will be voted on by the House later this week.