Contact: Colleen Roche or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2958
The next bill before me is Introductory Number 941, introduced by Council Member Koslowitz. The bill would amend Local Law 112 of 1993, as amended by Local Law 89 of 1996, in relation to the towing of vehicles and the removal of accident vehicles.
This bill will extend the current pilot program of towing disabled vehicles involved in accidents, known as the Special Accident Response District (SARD). The current program is set to sunset on April 28th. This extension would run until December 31st of this year.
The Special Accident Response District evolved from the Directed Accident Program, which began in March of 1988. As some people may remember, the City faced a problem with tow truck operators "racing" to accidents in order to gain the lucrative repair business. These trucks presented an increasing hazard to the public, with accidents and injuries attributed to these reckless operators in route to potential towing jobs. In response, the Council adopted the Directed Accident Program, whereby disabled vehicles may only be removed by authorized towing companies called to an accident scene by the Police Department on a rotating basis.
While the Directed Accident Program was an important first step, problems remained with the system. Racing, multiple tow trucks responding to an accident, or no tow trucks responding at all were continuing concerns. With the passage of Local Law 112 of 1993, the Special Accident Response District program began to improve on these problems. With the elimination of "calling your own tow," granting an exclusive area of coverage for a tow truck operator, and requiring those operators to meet standards of operation that would ensure they could meet all of the district's towing needs, the Special Accident Response District has been extremely successful in fulfilling the primary directive of this program: ensuring public safety, and clearing the accident scene as quickly and safely as possible to permit normal traffic to resume.
It is my Administration's goal to extend the Special Accident Response District model throughout this City. To that end, we have been through a long process of consultation with the Council, the towing industry, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Police Department. Through a great deal of hard work and good faith negotiation, we have come close to a complete understanding of how best to achieve this comprehensive towing program. However, as the sunset deadline approaches, both sides understand that the remaining differences can not be resolved before April 28th. Therefore, we have agreed that extending the current program, rather than losing it altogether, would bring the greatest benefit to the public.
I look forward to another ceremony, before the end of the year, where I will be putting into law a citywide towing system that will benefit all of this City's drivers who have the misfortune of being involved in traffic accidents. I know that with continued hard work from both sides, we will see such legislation sooner rather than later.
I will now turn to the bill's sponsor; next to any other elected official who may wish to speak.
There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.