With Ontario’s new highway tow zone pilot launching this week, one insurer is notifying its members that it will always be ready to provide towing services in the event of an emergency.
The Ontario government’s highway tow zone pilot restricts towing activity on certain sections of provincial highways. With parts of Highways 401, 427, 409, 400, and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) being restricted, the pilot is designed to run for at least four years. Under the initiative, drivers must use an authorized towing company, and non-authorized drivers are not allowed to stop and offer towing.
Under the program, those in need of immediate assistance and who cannot move their vehicle off the side of the road are encouraged to call 911. Drivers whose disabled vehicles have been taken off the road may then contact 511 and select the Tow Zone Pilot, wherein an authorized tow truck will be dispatched to assist them.
If there is no immediate danger to the driver, the police or the Ministry of Transportation will allow them to call their own roadside assistance service, such as CAA’s.
Auto club and insurer CAA South Central Ontario has responded favourably to the new rules. The group issued a statement, saying that it is reinforcing its commitment towards helping its members amid the towing rule changes.
"CAA members should be confident knowing that if they find themselves stuck in one of the tow zones, we are here to help as always," said CAA SCO assistant vice-president of government and community relations Teresa Di Felice. "As a CAA member, call us and we will help navigate the rescue with the appropriate tow provider."
CAA said that any member that needs its support can press *222, to allow the group to coordinate a rescue through either a tow provider with CAA or with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
"At CAA, our mission is to help you stay safe, mobile and protected. That's why we want you to know that if you find yourself in need of a tow in one of the designated pilot program tow zones, we will be here to help make the process safe and easy," added Di Felice.
The auto club also explained that if an MTO tow zone approved provider needs to remove a driver’s vehicle, CAA will cover the cost of the tow based on the limits of the driver’s membership level.
Unauthorized towing has been a long-time issue in Ontario, with local towing companies allegedly participating in insurance fraud and criminal activity. Work on the highway tow zone pilot began back in March, when the Ontario government launched a Joint Forces Operation team made up of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and municipal police services to address violence in the industry while laying the groundwork for the towing program.
