Justice ministry proposes return of "tow truck enforcement"

The Hungarian justice ministry has proposed that tow trucks be again used to remove illegally cars, reversing a policy dating to 2003 that withdrew the practice in favor of "booting" vehicles in violation of local parking ordinances.

According to a report on index.hu, the proposal would see cars towed by employees of local municipalities - rather than contractors - who would be armed with batons to defend themselves against angry motorists.

The use of tow trucks to remove cars was discontinued due to concerns on the part of those doing the towing, as well as complaints from motorists whose cars were damaged while being towed away.

The portal reports that the ministry proposes that towing be limited to vehicles parked in such a way as to obstruct traffic or pose a risk to public safety. Meanwhile, cars identified as belonging to owners with overdue parking fine - or those parked illegally which do not obstruct traffic - would be "booted."

Currently, local authorities have the right to "boot" the cars of motorists who have not paid the appropriate fees, but this rarely happens in practice.

Under the proposal, the Budapest government would start using tow trucks in January 2009, with the price of the "service" being Ft 15,000 (€60), in addition to any fine.

A regulation which says that the authorities cannot be held responsible for damages caused to towed cars would remain in effect.

• Email
• Save to My Caboodle