Bill would have abandoned cars towed faster
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Bill would have abandoned cars towed faster

Date: February 26, 2009
By: Rebecca Beitsch
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: If you leave your car on the side of the road it could be gone after 10 hours if one Mid-Missouri Senator gets his way. Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the State Capitol. RunTime:0:37
OutCue: SOC

Abandoned cars are on the road too long and are a danger to other drivers in rural areas said Mid-Missouri Republican Senator Bill Stouffer.  

But St. Louis County Democrat Tim Green asks if 10 hours is too quick to tow on country roads.

 

Actuality:  GREEN1.WAV
Run Time: 00:15
Description: "With 10 hours somebody on a country road, say I'm traveling, and my car breaks down, and I'm headed say let's to the Lake of the Ozarks and I'm taking the back roads. I'm coming up on 42, I'm not going to go worry about that car until the next day."

Stouffer said he would consider changing the number to 24 hours.

From the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

   Intro: One bill would make it easier to tow abandoned cars, but one Missouri Senator worries that could lead to more impounded cars, and a repeat of what happened under Police Chief Joe Moska. Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the State Capitol. RunTime:0:45
OutCue: SOC

Cars left on state highways for more than 10 hours would be towed under proposed legislation. 

But St. Louis County Democrat Tim Green said he was concerned that towing cars too quickly could lead to over-impounding cars.

St. Louis Metropolitan Towing is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney's office and sparked Green's concern.  

 

Actuality:  GREEN2.WAV
Run Time: 00:14
Description: "They were towing people, taking their cars, and then impounding them. They made the debt so much from the car being impounded that sometimes the fee to get their car out was more expensive then the actual car."

The bills sponsor said there has been trouble with towing companies but that abandoned cars have led to several fatal accidents.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.