At the scene of an auto accident, remain calm and in control. The majority of Ontario municipal bylaws regulate tow truck operators to stop 60 metres to 200 metres away from the accident, unless there are fewer towers than accident vehicles. Bylaws prohibit the solicitation or making of referrals by tow truck drivers, the police and other accident reponse personnel on behalf of area tow truck operators or collision repair facilities.

Municipally licensed towers have municipal licensing tags and municipally approved rate sheets prominently displayed in their trucks. You should ask for an itemized bill of all services prior to agreeing to have your vehicle towed to another location.

Do not sign any paperwork or tow bills at the scene of an accident as you may unknowingly be authorizing  the serives of the tower and an affiliated repair facility to commence repairs on your vehicle. The only exception to this rule is a municipal authorization form entitled, Permission To Tow that you sign authorizing the tower to tow your vehicle to a predetermined location and the tower must sign an agreement. You shall retain a copy of this form before you agree to have services redered. In the event you feel the original agreement was not adhered to by the contracted towing service provider, proceed to your municipal government office and pressent a copy of the originally signed form to a municipal bylaw enforcement officer for their review.

If in doubt, or feeling pressured to make a decision, agree on a predetermined  rate and have your vehicle towed to the nearest collision reporting centre or to your home until you decide what you'd like to do next.

And remember, only you, as as the owner of the vehicle have the right and authority to decide who will tow your vehicle and where you shall have it repaired unless you are unable or unwilling to make a decision.