The Ottawa Police Service laid several charges against a tow truck driver and a towing company after finding safety violations with the vehicle. Ottawa police were called in after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a collision on Highway 417 near Catherine Street on July 15. The OPP said a tow truck was already at the scene, but the driver drove away when police arrived, and then came back saying they had been called. “An investigation by officers at the scene showed this to be false,” the OPP said in a post on X. Tow truck drivers are prohibited from stopping and providing or offering towing services within 200 metres of a collision scene, unless it is at the request of a police officer, inspector or person involved in the collision. The OPP said a member of the Ottawa police Tow Enforcement Team inspected the tow truck and took it out of service because of safety violations. An Ottawa Police Service spokesperson said the driver was recently suspended, and the vehicle had a “major defect.” No other details were immediately available. Four charges were laid under the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act. “Always remember, you have a right to choose whichever tow company you wish. Know your tow,” OPP said. Under Ontario law, tow truck drivers, towing companies and vehicle storage providers must abide by a code of conduct and be certified to offer services in the province.
