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An Ottawa tow truck operator is facing stunt driving charges, accused of racing to the scene of an Orléans collision by tailing a fire truck as it weaved through heavy traffic.
Once there, police say he tried to drum up business from a driver whose car was on its side.
“This is an ongoing problem,” Ottawa Police Sgt. John Kiss said of “wreck chasers” — some monitoring emergency channels — who race to crashes to bag business.
Police said the tow truck was seen speeding southbound on Tenth Line Road soon after the serious crash with injuries at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.
It nearly collided with a responding fire truck before following the fire truck to the scene, according to police.
That created an even more dangerous situation because motorists who pull over to let emergency service vehicles pass aren’t expecting a tow truck, hidden by a larger fire truck, to be in hot pursuit as they merge back into traffic, Kiss said.
This incident should be a reminder to tow operators that they have to follow city bylaws and the Highway Traffic Act by not turning up at collision scenes unless they’re called by someone involved or police, he said.
“Putting the public at risk will simply not be tolerated.”
Amado Wehbe, 36, is charged with racing a vehicle, following too close and failing to surrender his licence. His driver’s licence was suspended and his vehicle impounded for seven days.
Wehbe denied wrongdoing.
“The accusations are false – we’ll be going to court,” he said, adding that he has a family to support and small business to run.
“I would not jeopardize all that over an incident like this. It hurts.”
Kiss said that motorists should be aware of the rules that govern tow truck operators:
• “Never talk to anyone who appears at the scene,” he said, noting that a tow truck cannot come within 100 metres of a collision and it is illegal for the operator to solicit business at a collision;
• Drivers have the right to choose the towing service of their choice;
• Police recommend motorists call the number on the back of their insurance card to confirm authorization to tow their vehicle.
Racing or stunt Driving carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and a minimum licence suspension of two years. In extreme circumstances, a violator could go to jail for six months.
The Ontario government has introduced new regulations governing tow operators that take effect by Jan. 1, 2017.
They include provisions that operators have permission to tow or store a vehicle, accept credit cards rather than insisting on cash, give itemized bills and disclose if they’re getting kick-backs to tow to a particular pound or garage.
The new rules are aimed at protecting towing consumers but some tow truck operators called for more regulation and consistent enforcement in Ottawa last year. After a crash involving a tow truck killed a man on Meadowlands Drive in November, some complained of mixed messages about what’s acceptable at accident scenes amid fierce competition.
City hall has not stepped in with further regulations – and critics argue that the $190 fine for breaking the 100 metre rule is little deterrent.
查看原文...
Once there, police say he tried to drum up business from a driver whose car was on its side.
“This is an ongoing problem,” Ottawa Police Sgt. John Kiss said of “wreck chasers” — some monitoring emergency channels — who race to crashes to bag business.
Police said the tow truck was seen speeding southbound on Tenth Line Road soon after the serious crash with injuries at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.
It nearly collided with a responding fire truck before following the fire truck to the scene, according to police.
That created an even more dangerous situation because motorists who pull over to let emergency service vehicles pass aren’t expecting a tow truck, hidden by a larger fire truck, to be in hot pursuit as they merge back into traffic, Kiss said.
This incident should be a reminder to tow operators that they have to follow city bylaws and the Highway Traffic Act by not turning up at collision scenes unless they’re called by someone involved or police, he said.
“Putting the public at risk will simply not be tolerated.”
Amado Wehbe, 36, is charged with racing a vehicle, following too close and failing to surrender his licence. His driver’s licence was suspended and his vehicle impounded for seven days.
Wehbe denied wrongdoing.
“The accusations are false – we’ll be going to court,” he said, adding that he has a family to support and small business to run.
“I would not jeopardize all that over an incident like this. It hurts.”
Kiss said that motorists should be aware of the rules that govern tow truck operators:
• “Never talk to anyone who appears at the scene,” he said, noting that a tow truck cannot come within 100 metres of a collision and it is illegal for the operator to solicit business at a collision;
• Drivers have the right to choose the towing service of their choice;
• Police recommend motorists call the number on the back of their insurance card to confirm authorization to tow their vehicle.
Racing or stunt Driving carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and a minimum licence suspension of two years. In extreme circumstances, a violator could go to jail for six months.
The Ontario government has introduced new regulations governing tow operators that take effect by Jan. 1, 2017.
They include provisions that operators have permission to tow or store a vehicle, accept credit cards rather than insisting on cash, give itemized bills and disclose if they’re getting kick-backs to tow to a particular pound or garage.
The new rules are aimed at protecting towing consumers but some tow truck operators called for more regulation and consistent enforcement in Ottawa last year. After a crash involving a tow truck killed a man on Meadowlands Drive in November, some complained of mixed messages about what’s acceptable at accident scenes amid fierce competition.
City hall has not stepped in with further regulations – and critics argue that the $190 fine for breaking the 100 metre rule is little deterrent.
查看原文...
