The towing industry will be bound by a new accreditation scheme under new legislation launched in Victoria
The towing industry will be bound by a new accreditation scheme under new legislation launched in Victoria.
The Accident Towing Services Act 2007 reforms the accident towing industry designed to promote higher standards.
The Act, which will take effect January 2009, forces operators and depot managers to introduce a compliance handling system and give VicRoads proof the systems are in place.
Although it includes most of the provisions already in the Transport Act, VicRoads says it introduces a contemporary framework by deregulating normal trade and breakdown towing while ensuring accident towing remains regulated.
Director of Vehicle Management and Safety for VicRoads Don Hogben says the Act will “ensure that accident scenes are cleared promptly and professionally to reduce traffic congestion”.
“The reforms will ensure licence holders, depot managers and drivers are technically competent, can do their jobs to an acceptable level in a law-abiding way and when providing a service they do so with integrity and regard to people in vulnerable situations,” he says.
Information sessions on the Act will be run across the state, in Traralgon, Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and metropolitan Melbourne next month.