For years, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has been vocal about predatory towing practices against truck drivers. Now, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is stepping in to address concerns, particularly regarding semi-truck towing.
On May 31, the FMCSA announced a virtual meeting set for June 21 to discuss “Transparency in Fees for Semi-Truck Towing and Recovery Services.” This crucial meeting, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern time, aims to gather insights from stakeholders, including motor carriers and towing services, about the costs associated with towing commercial motor vehicles and whether owners are informed beforehand.
The FMCSA’s initiative comes in response to ongoing issues highlighted by OOIDA regarding unfair practices in semi-truck towing. OOIDA has long advocated for safeguards against inflated towing bills, especially in cases of nonconsensual tows initiated by law enforcement.
In November, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rulemaking to tackle unfair fee practices. The FMCSA sees this as a positive step, potentially alleviating the financial burdens faced by commercial motor vehicle owners and operators due to predatory towing.
A third-party tow, often referred to as nonconsensual towing, occurs without the trucker’s ability to negotiate or compare prices. OOIDA’s efforts to combat excessive charges for semi-truck towing have been significant, with numerous cases documented across the United States.
For instance, in a 2015 incident in Deposit, N.Y., an OOIDA member received a staggering $154,124 towing bill, including a questionable $92,650 “reefer trailer fee” calculated at $100 per hour for an extensive duration. OOIDA highlighted the stark difference between local reefer trailer rental rates and the inflated towing charges.
To participate in the FMCSA’s meeting on June 21, interested individuals can register on the FMCSA website by June 11. While there’s an option for in-person attendance at the Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a limit of 50 attendees, an online participation option is also available.
For those unable to attend, written comments can be submitted on Regulations.gov under Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0124. Staying informed about these developments is crucial, especially for truck drivers seeking reliable and transparent semi-truck towing services.
Source: Land Line
