The Essential Services Commission (ESC) today released its final report into the economic regulation of accident towing services in Victoria. The ESC has been reviewing this sector over the past 18 months.

Accident towing services are regulated in Victoria, but the regulations vary throughout the state. Accident towing services are part of a wider set of general towing services, which are not regulated. As drivers do not usually have cause to use accident towing services, many are confused about their rights and choices regarding towing services when they do have an accident.

The report makes 19 recommendations, which fall broadly under three areas:

• Improving the processes by which accident tows are allocated to tow truck operators, so as best to promote consumers interests;
• Ensuring that fees for accident towing services are fair and reasonable to consumers, regardless of where the accident occurs; and
• Ensuring that consumers are advised of their rights and responsibilities once in an accident.

Frontier (Australia) assisted the ESC in preparation of the report, and regularly advises clients in the transport sector.

For more information, please contact Marita O’Keeffe on m.okeeffe@frontier-economics.com.au or phone +61 3 9620 4488.