Vehicle Recovery and Road Safety

Tow truck operators provide a valuable service to the motoring public. They are quite often the first to arrive at the scene of an accident and have been known on many occasions to provide assistance and/or first aid to disorientated or injured accident victims. In addition to this, they are quite often seen directing traffic and working with the authorities to clear the accident scene as quickly as possible to avoid further accidents and to restore normal traffic flow.

Risks and Regulating the Industry

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous operators are not acting within the confines of reasonableness and the public has a right to be protected against these operators. The malpractices include:

  • Bribing corrupt police officers to ensure they are first at the scene of an accident.
  • Offering free cell phones to police officers as an incentive to phone them before reporting an accident. [These corrupt activities may cost many seriously injured people their lives. In medical terms, there is a reference to the 'golden hour' within which medical assistance by paramedics can make the difference of being saved or not.]
  • Not informing the distressed motorist of all the costs involved in recovering his vehicle.
  • Claiming excessive recovery and storage costs.
  • Some operators have been known to recommend collision repair facilities, not because of the quality of work they do but because they pay the tow operator a commission, generally a percentage of the repair cost (as high as 15-20%) for securing the job.

The South African Towing and Recovery Association (SATRA) and UTASA (United Towing Association of South Africa) have confirmed that many of these risks exist and identified the need for the industry to be regulated. Anybody can buy a one-ton truck and turn it into a tow truck and start operating.

We Tow Cars (Pty) Ltd has offered to assist motorists and guide them through the whole process, whether it's a breakdown or an accident. Motorists can call We Tow Cars 24/7 for free advice and assistance arrangement on 071 722 6766.