In a move targeting the towing industry, Governor Josh Shapiro has enacted a new law aimed at protecting the rights of Philadelphia's vehicle owners. As reported by NBC Philadelphia, Governor Shapiro signed the bill, now known as Act 43, mandating that tow truck drivers in Philadelphia must furnish photographic proof of a parking violation before towing a vehicle. This bill, sponsored by state Representative Jose Giral, requires photos that display the vehicle's license plate, the transgression, and any relevant signage indicating where stopping, standing, or parking is not permitted.
Though Act 43 will become universally applicable across all Pennsylvanian cities with a population exceeding one million, Philadelphia stands as the sole city meeting the criteria. Starting in just 60 days, the expectation is that the new law not only ensures greater oversight but also substantially eases the appeal process for those disputing towing incidents. According to PhillyVoice, Giral commented on the bill, stating, "I am pleased to see this commonsense measure signed into law." "This will benefit everyone involved, the courts, the drivers and towing companies, and ensure greater accountability and transparency in our city," he added.
With the introduction of Act 43, any towing job must now be preceded by the driver capturing compelling photographic evidence of the claimed parking violation. These photos, crucially, will be given to vehicle owners at no extra charge upon retrieval of their towed vehicle. As stated by 6abc, Giral advocated for the bill by emphasizing its simplicity and necessity. "This simple but necessary measure would ease the appeals process for parking violations in Philadelphia and allow for a fair system that keeps both drivers and the enforcers of our laws accountable for their actions," he said.
