The El Paso City Council voted 6-2 on April 28 to bar tow operators from soliciting business at crash scenes unless contacted by police, the vehicle owner, the driver, or the insurance company, and from entering accident scenes under police control without permission, soliciting on public streets and sidewalks, or using third parties to approach drivers, according to KVIA. First-time violations are a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500; Executive Assistant Chief Victor Zarur said "this ordinance does just strictly forbid anyone from soliciting out in the roadway for towing business," with enforcement training and public outreach planned before the June 1 effective date.
Operator takeaway
Texas operators outside El Paso should expect copycat ordinances. Review your post-crash dispatch policy this week and brief every driver.