The Querétaro Congress is promoting three initiatives to strengthen the regulation of towing services and vehicle storage facilities, including discounts and measures to combat charges that exceed authorized rates.
The initiatives, presented by Sully Yanira Mauricio Sixtos, local representative for District XII, are still in their initial stage, as they must first be referred to the appropriate committee for analysis and discussion.
“Tow truck and vehicle storage services must operate with legality, transparency, and a sense of social responsibility. The objective is to provide citizens with greater certainty and prevent a situation of vulnerability from becoming an unjustified financial burden,” the legislator stated.
Regulation of towing services
The first initiative proposes that people who recover a vehicle after being victims of a crime receive at least a 50% discount on storage or impound fees, provided they demonstrate the circumstances to the concessionaire.
The second proposes that the Mobility Agency of the State of Querétaro conduct routine inspections at least once a year of each concessionaire, with the purpose of verifying authorizations, registered vehicles, and detailed payment receipts, while also strengthening the oversight and sanctioning of unauthorized operators.
The third establishes that when a vehicle is towed at the request of an authority and it is subsequently determined that there was no violation, illegal act, or legal basis justifying the towing, citizens should not have to pay for towing, storage, or safekeeping services. If payment has already been made, its full reimbursement would be required.
Legislator Sully Mauricio emphasized that the proposals also seek to combat charges exceeding authorized rates, unlisted fees, discretionary charges, and the operation of unauthorized providers, while strengthening the Mobility Agency’s oversight and sanctioning powers.
Towing and vehicle storage services in Mexico are regulated at the federal level by the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) through the Regulations for Auxiliary Services to Federal Motor Transportation for Towing, Towing and Rescue, and Vehicle Storage.
At the local level, outside federal highways, each state has its own mobility laws. In the case of Querétaro, the three proposed initiatives are aimed at preventing abuses and improper charges in towing and vehicle storage services.
Source: tyt
