transportation

Tow truck scam suspected

Sandra Rivera/LA PRENSA

swindleD: Chiriquí drivers suspect a racket between certain tow truck companies and local traffic police, who allegedly preempt drivers in calling a tow service to the scene of an accident. 1073735

Drivers and owners of car repair shops in the province of Chiriquí met with officials of the Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestres (ATTT) and the Policía Nacional (PN) yesterday to alert them of an alleged racket between tow truck owners and officers of the Dirección de Tránsito.

According to several drivers involved in recent collisions, the traffic police that show up at the scene call a tow service of their choosing, without consulting with the car owner. Not surprisingly, it’s not often the cheapest service in town.

“We want the police to respect our right to call the tow service we trust,” said one driver. “Because we fear that the car will be banged up or otherwise mishandled.”

He added that it’s not uncommon for the police to argue with a driver over who will tow the car, when by law the officer must wait until the driver decides on a service.

Rodrigo de Ángeles, regional director of ATTT in Chiriquí, said the goal of the meeting is to make clear that the drivers are indeed responsible for calling the tow service of their choice. He cited Article 11 of the law as proof of this.

Ángeles noted that the situation is even clearer when car owners have a tow service contract through a particular insurance company, as is often the case.

“We receive many complaints about this issue daily,” said Ángeles, who confirmed that the Reglamento de Tránsito clearly states that the only requirements for towing a vehicle is its registration information, a receipt from the tow company, and, if applicable, a receipt indicating payment of any fine incurred.

The ATTT director promised to investigate claims that local police and tow services are in cahoots to swindle the public.

Currently, only six tow companies are accredited by the ATTT, he added, but the entity plans to update the list before reorganizing the system.

PN official Franco Gómez denied the allegations of a racket involving traffic officers, and said that if the police call a tow truck, it’s either because the driver is too intoxicated to choose for himself, or in the event that the driver’s choice of tow service is delayed in arriving and the car is blocking traffic.