New Law in Effect Cracks Down on Towing and Booting

Drastic Measures against Predatory Towing Practices

In a landmark decision aimed at curbing predatory practices prevalent in the towing industry, Tennessee House Bill 1731, fondly known as the Modernization of Towing, Immobilization, and Oversight Normalization Act or the Motion Act, is set to go into effect starting July 1st. This bill has been introduced as a response to increasing claims that gas stations and towing companies in Memphis have been singling out 18-wheel trucks traveling from out of state on allegations of illegal parking.

Out-of-State Drivers Bearing the Brunt

Quincy Farris, a seasoned truck driver who has been knee-deep in the thick of things for the past 17 years, acknowledged that these companies always have an eye out for out-of-state plates. “From the times I have seen it, it is more out-of-town people that are not familiar with the city. If you are stopping in a truck stop, they just put the boot on,” Farris said.

What the New Law Proposes

The new statute prohibits unlicensed individuals from booting vehicles across the state and confines the act of booting to commercial lots exclusively. It further mandates that licensed parking attendants should clear a booted vehicle within 30 minutes of the driver’s call, capping the fee charged for boot removal at $75.

Memphis in the Eye of the Storm

According to the American Trucking Association, Memphis has emerged as a hotspot for illegal towing. An incident last fall saw a trucker blocked from paying a $275 booting fee, resulting in her company needing to cough up thousands of dollars to regain possession of the vehicle.

Trucking Industry’s Tryst with Towing Companies

The introduction of this law comes on the heels of a statement from ATA’s President and CEO, Chris Spear. In a public declaration decrying the actions of towing companies, he stated, “Predatory towing companies have taken advantage of the trucking industry for far too long, and we refuse to continue making these ransom payments any longer.”

How This Affects the Trucking Industry

Farris highlighted that such unscrupulous activities have costed some their jobs in the past. “First off, the driver might have to pay out of their own pocket three or four hundred dollars. The company they drive for might not even reimburse that driver, and this puts the driver at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, the company may even terminate that driver because of that,” Farris said.

Significance of the Trucking Industry in Tennessee

The trucking industry forms the robust backbone of the Tennessee economy, employing nearly a quarter of a million Tennesseans and providing middle-class jobs across the state. Over 90% of communities in Tennessee are exclusively dependent on trucks for goods delivery, underlining the gravity of the role they play in the state’s day-to-day functions.