Who will protect motorists from excessive wrecker fees?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

On August 31, 2026, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Mountain View Avenue near Munster Road. A well-known wrecker company, reportedly among the pool of government-approved contractors, charged me $45,000 to tow my van just 1.2 kilometres from the accident scene to the Mountain View Police Station.

Vehicle seizure and towing operations by official or designated wreckers are governed by the Road Traffic Act, the Transport Authority Act, and their associated regulations. Under these laws, the Transport Authority and the Jamaica Constabulary Force are responsible for regulating authorised towing operators, standardising fees to prevent overcharging, and ensuring that only approved contractors are used for official towing services.

Under the standardized fee structure established by the Transport Authority and local authorities pursuant to the Transport Authority Act and the Road Traffic Act Regulations to prevent overcharging, official towing and wrecking rates are categorized by vehicle type, distance, and specific handling requirements. For standard motor cars, towing for the first 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) is set at JMD $12,000, with an additional JMD $600 charged for each extra kilometer (0.6 miles). For larger vehicles like trucks and buses, the baseline for the first 5 kilometers (3.1 miles)—under which a van falls—is capped at a maximum of JMD $22,500, with an extra kilometer (0.6 miles) charge of JMD $800. Being charged $45,000 for a 1.2-kilometer (0.75-mile) haul directly violates these statutory caps, as I should have been charged no more than $22,500 under Section 10 of the Transport Authority Regulations and the overarching provisions of the Transport Authority Act.

When authorised towing operators breach established guidelines and engage in excessive charging, they should face appropriate administrative and regulatory sanctions. Companies that fail to comply with their contractual and statutory obligations risk removal from the pool of approved contractors. Transparent and closely monitored fee structures are essential to protecting motorists from unfair and exploitative practices.

This matter requires the immediate attention of the Minister of Transport. If the applicable fee was indeed $22,500, motorists deserve an explanation as to how a charge of $45,000 was permitted. I also believe I am entitled to a refund of any amount collected in excess of the approved rate.

Taking decisive action against operators who overcharge would help protect the public and deter similar conduct in the future.

H. Johnson