Full Notification

Norton Shores Police Department
Protecting Motorists When Utilizing Towing Services

Norton Shores Police reminds drivers to be careful in the winter months to avoid being involved in an accident. If involved in an accident we encourage you to use a local reputable wrecker company. Please use a wrecker you are familiar with and is called to the scene by yourself or the Police. If you are unfamiliar with wreckers in the area call 911 and a Police dispatcher will send a wrecker that has been screened by the local police agency. If you decide to use an unfamiliar wrecker company, always request the rate before agreeing to allow their service and always ask what insurance they will accept.

If you are approached by a wrecker driver or service and you did not call them please contact the police department because the wrecker service may be violating law. Below is a new law that prohibits wrecker companies from contacting you on the road.

257.676c. added Scene of motor vehicle accident or disabled vehicle; business solicitation by wrecker, recovery, or towing service; prohibition; violation; civil fine; exception; request by owner or operator of motor vehicle.

Sec. 676c.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person shall not travel to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or a disabled vehicle located on public property, property open to the public, or a state trunk line highway and solicit business for a wrecker, recovery, or towing service. A person who violates this subsection is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $1,000.00.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if any of the following conditions apply:

(a) A law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the scene of the accident or disabled vehicle, or an individual involved in that accident or disabled vehicle, requests the owner or operator of a wrecker or towing service to come to the scene.

(b) A wrecker, recovery truck, or tow truck operator, who does not travel to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or disabled vehicle as described in subsection (1) for the purpose of soliciting business for a wrecker, recovery, or towing service, offers assistance to a stranded motorist without creating a nuisance or interfering with management of a motor vehicle accident by law enforcement.

(3) Subject to section 252d, the law enforcement agency at the scene shall permit an owner or operator of a motor vehicle to request the towing, wrecker, or recovery service or roadside assistance service of his or her choice unless the vehicle is involved in a suspected criminal activity, fatality, or law enforcement investigation, if the vehicle is being impounded, or if the requested preference wrecker service is unavailable or cannot respond within a timely manner and the vehicle is creating a road or safety hazard as determined by law enforcement at the scene.