The business licences for two London tow truck companies have been suspended after drivers were allegedly caught travelling at excessive speeds in the city.
Police stopped a Forest City Roadside Services truck in the area of Dundas Street and Clarke Road on June 19. The tow truck was observed on radar going 94 km/h in the posted 50 km/h zone, according to the City of London.
Months prior, a 519Tow driver was caught doing 111 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in the area of Sarnia Road and Wonderland Road. That incident happened on March 31.
Both drivers were charged with operating a vehicle at excessive speeds and stunt driving.
“The City of London has zero tolerance for operators driving aggressively to be the first tow truck to arrive at the scene of an accident,” Orest Katolyk, the city's director of municipal compliance and chief municipal law enforcement officer, said in a statement. “We will continue to work side-by-side with London Police Services and, when warranted, suspend the licence of companies engaged in this dangerous and reckless behaviour.”
The licence suspensions bar the two companies from towing from the scene of a collision only.
This is the second time in less than a month the city has announced suspensions against tow firms. Last month, L.O. Towing and Recovery Inc. had its business licence suspended for 28 days after one of its drivers was charged with operating a vehicle at excessive speeds and stunt driving.
Drivers in London are being reminded by the city that companies towing from the scene of a collision are required to be licenced and that drivers involved in crashes do not have to use the first tow truck that arrives. A full list of licensed tow operators can be found on the city's website at London.ca/Tow.
