A Brampton tow truck company and its driver are facing multiple charges after a vehicle inspection revealed serious safety violations, police say.
The incident occurred Monday morning around 10:15 a.m. when Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from the Temagami detachment responded to a traffic complaint on Highway 11, approximately 165 km northeast of Sudbury.
Upon locating the tow truck, officers conducted a commercial vehicle inspection, uncovering multiple infractions and what they described as a “major defect.”
A 39-year-old Brampton tow truck driver was charged with several violations under the Highway Traffic Act and the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), including:
- Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a major defect
- Failing to enter a defect in the daily inspection report
- Failing to comply with certificate conditions
Additionally, the Brampton-based tow truck company was charged with:
- Failing to ensure daily inspections were conducted properly
- Failing to ensure accurate completion of the daily inspection report
- Failing to meet performance standards
- Operating a vehicle with a defective odometer
- Failing to comply with certificate conditions
As a result, the tow truck has been taken out of service until necessary repairs are completed, police confirmed.
The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), implemented in 2024, aims to regulate the industry amid ongoing concerns about violence and criminal activity within the sector.
Motorists in Ontario are reminded of their rights when dealing with tow truck operators:
- Consent is required before a vehicle is towed unless initiated by police or an authorized official.
- A “Permission to Tow” form must be signed before towing begins.
- Tow rates must be disclosed upfront and publicly displayed at towing locations and online.
- Vehicle owners have the right to access their vehicles after towing unless restricted by law enforcement.
For highway towing assistance, drivers can call 511 through Ontario’s Tow Zone Pilot Project, or dial *OPP for assistance elsewhere in the province.