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VicRoads to consider review of towing regulation

Reports of bikie standover tactics against tow truck operators prompt VicRoads to consider review of towing regulation

By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | December 21, 2012

Changes to towing regulations in Victoria may soon be on the way after reports of bikies intimidating industry operators.

VicRoads Vehicle Management and Safety Director Don Leone says the department is currently considering a review of how the towing industry is regulated.

The announcement is in response to reports from truck drivers and industry figures of a bikie who has been attending crash scenes and intimidating others in a bid to secure the tow for his company.

“The scope of any such review would include the current form of regulation applying to heavy vehicle accident towing services,” Leone says.

“Consultation with the accident industry and key stakeholders would be undertaken as part of any review.”

Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Peter De Santo says the bikie member has been using standover tactics similar to those in the late 1970s in the towing industry in order to gain a job.

“It’s a serious issue in as far as the police are not going to tolerate the intimidator’s tactics or the violence against other people going about their daily business,” De Santo says.

He is calling on those affected to come forward and make a complaint.

“We’ve had approaches from other concerned companies. However we’ve got no complaint at this time which we can act on,” he says.

“We’d like people affected by him to come forward and stand up. I think some people will come forward once we have had a complaint and reassure the public we’ll act on their complaint in a confidential manner.”

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