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A proposal which would place the Philadelphia Parking Authority in charge of the city's tow truck companies is being strongly opposed by the drivers, who say it will increase their costs, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

However, City Council member James Kenney, who sponsored the proposed change, told the paper the current lack of regulation has led to violence and "victimization" of the city's motorists, as tow truck drivers battle for business at accident sites and agreements with local repair shops make it difficult for drivers to get their cars back after they've been towed. In such an arrangement, the mechanics pay the tow truck drivers to bring damaged cars to their facility, rather than to a competitor.

The towers told the Inquirer, though, that the measure to increase regulation – placing the parking authority between 911 dispatchers and the towing companies – would drive small businesses out of the city and make it more costly for motorists to recover their vehicles, since they might have to pay for an additional move to a city lot.

The Inquirer says the full council is set to debate the bill sometime in early December. The measure will not include a provision which would have required towing companies to use trucks which met minimum size requirements, since this would have incurred "tens of thousands" of dollars in new equipment costs, the paper said.

Drivers who get in a wreck should consult their auto insurance policies to find out whether towing fees are covered. Additionally, they should be sure to exchange information with anyone else whose car was damaged in the incident.