Towing & Recovery Division
The Towing & Recovery Division (TRD) represents the interest of the towing industry in B.C., with volunteers serving on the ICBC liaison committee to rpovide input on policies relating to rates for towing and storage of vehicles with ICBC insurnace policies that have been involved in an accident. Another initiative resulted in a popular online training course about impound lot operations and how to dispose of abandoned vehicles. The TRD’s objective is to enhance, educate and promote operator safety and professionalism.
Position Statements
ARA position statements on current issues relevant to the Towing & Recovery division.
Issue: The Use of Alternate Coloured Lights to Increase Safety for Tow Operators
As the ARA continues to advocate for the use of alternate coloured lights on tow trucks, June 30, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of the blue lights pilot project in Alberta, a program that allows tow and recovery operators in the province to use flashing blue and amber lights on their vehicles while working roadside. Has the program worked? Check out this article from Tow Canada, July-August 2023.
Issue: Disposal of Unwanted, Impounded, and Abandoned Recreational Vehicles (RVs) by BC Tow Companies
Advocacy Brief for the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation.
Approximately 2,000 RVs are impounded each year by towing companies due to municipal by-law infractions, police impoundments, vehicular accidents, or simply being abandoned on B.C. highways and municipal streets. Disposing of an RV is significantly more complex than disposing of other vehicles due to their hazardous waste, fuels, and other materials. These vehicles present serious occupational health and safety and environmental hazards.
An article on the above issue appeared in the Q4 edition of ARA News.
Read the article:
TRD Executive Committee
Division Chair
Executive Committee
Dena Parke, Reliable Towing, Maple Ridge
Kit Moller, Clover Towing (2015) Ltd., Surrey
Taylor Kenyon, Penticton Towing, Penticton
Kyle Schrump, Buster’s Towing, Vancouver
Barry Mah, Reliable Towing Mission Ltd., Mission
Mike Oldfield, Mid Island Towing
Kevin Desjardin, Don’s Towing
TRD Contact Information:
- Office: (604) 432-7987
- ARA Fax: (604) 432-1756
TRD Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: New legislation was introduced in September 2010 that impacts impound lot operators (ILOs) with respect to the way they handle impoundment and disposal of vehicles. The ARA has developed a free course providing guidance and best practices to help ILOs understand their rights and obligations under the law. Visit the ARA Training Centre of Excellence website to take this course.
Answer: The ARA Occupational Health & Safety website has all the information needed by employers and employees, including guideline booklets, templates, and links to relevant information.
Answer: Yes – the ARA has launched an employment website at AutoCareersBC.ca that includes career profiles, links to training resources, and a job bank where employers can post job vacancies.
Answer: Go to the ARA Events website.
Towing & Recovery Division News
Changes to the RoadSafetyBC ILO Program
ARA and RoadSafetyBC Collaborate for Major Upgrades to Lien Regulation
