After years of WBTV Investigations highlighting predatory and criminal towing practices, several North Carolina lawmakers filed new legislation Thursday to bring new regulation to the industry.
The bill filed in the house proposes significant new regulations including requiring towing businesses to acquire a permit to operate, create a system for consumers to lodge complaints against companies through a new Towing and Recovery Commission and allow the new commission to set maximum fees for towing and booting.
The deadline day submission of the Nonconsensual Booting and Towing Reform legislation comes after a recent WBTV Investigation into the Wild West of Towing in Charlotte. WBTV’s reporting revealed the industry is flooded with felons and fraudsters who are making big money towing cars and booting trucks with little regulation, oversight or accountability.
“This bill provides a regulatory framework where none existed before,” Rep. Laura Budd, one of the bill’s sponsors, told WBTV. “It is supported by the towing and trucking industries and will go a significant way in protecting North Carolinians from predatory towing practices as well as companies conducting business in our state.”
WBTV interviewed Charlotte resident and truck driver Rdele Olive in January after he was chased down I-485 by men claiming to work for a tow truck company. Court records show he was assaulted and bashed in the head with the butt of a gun.
Since WBTV reported his story, Olive says more truck drivers have been reaching out to him about their own towing horror stories.
“It gives me a sense of hope that my story will encourage other people not to take this horrible practice lightly and will do whatever they can to put an end to this injustice,” Olive told WBTV in a text message Thursday.
“Just like every other business, there are regulations that everyone should follow and the towing companies should be no different,” Olive said.
Rep. Budd said hearing what happened to Olive and others has been a motivation in bringing reform to the towing industry.
“It’s the stories from Rdele Olive and others throughout North Carolina who have been the victims of predatory towing practices that make this a priority for the short session of the General Assembly,” Rep. Budd said.
North Carolina Trucking Association President Ben Greenberg said he’s encouraged by the effort made by legislator to regulate towing in order to protect truckers from predatory practices.
“A new law is needed in North Carolina because the industry is largely unregulated, which has led to significant abuses for both citizens in passenger vehicles and professional drivers in commercial trucks,” Greenberg wrote to WBTV.
“The NCTA is pleased that this issue is being looked at and looks forward to working with the sponsors on the legislation.”
The booting and towing reform bill was introduced by four members of the North Carolina General Assembly, two republicans and two democrats – Rep. Laura Budd, (D – Mecklenburg) Rep. Carson Smith, (R – Onslow/Pender) Rep. A. Reece Pyrtle Jr. (R – Rockingham) and Rep. Carolyn G Logan (D – Mecklenburg).
Records obtained by WBTV show tens of thousands of vehicles are towed in Charlotte every year. WBTV has reported dozens of stories about tow truck companies assaulting drivers, charging exorbitant fees, and exhibiting other predatory practices.
