Utah Law Holds Police Accountable for Towed Vehicles

The Utah Legislature passed a law that goes into effect July 1, requiring state police to inform drivers of the whereabouts of their towed vehicles. The legislation was brought forth after an investigative report by Fox 13 showed police departments across the state had more than 1,000 complaints made against them. The Utah Legislature passed a law that goes into effect July 1, requiring state police to inform drivers of the whereabouts of their towed vehicles. The legislation was brought forth after an investigative report by Fox 13 showed police departments across the state had more than 1,000 complaints made against them. 

Lawmakers say officers across the state violated state law by failing to fill out paperwork that is supposed to help people find their cars after a tow. In some cases, fines rack up to thousands of dollars before people find their vehicles. Some drivers described a "scavenger hunt" for their own cars, calling tow companies until they got lucky. 

"There is no excuse. Everybody should know where their vehicle goes," said driver Anthony Sanchez, who was involved in a crash and transported to a hospital by ambulance prior to his car being towed in 2023. "(I got) no letters in the mail saying, 'Hey, here’s where your vehicle’s been towed.'" 

In response to the investigative report, Rep. Matthew Gwynn (R) followed through on his promise with a bill that will ease the burden on police officers. It passed with unanimous support. In most cases, the original form — which was about half a page — will no longer need to be filled out. Instead, officers will simply be required to provide a case number to the tow company. 

"Vehicle owners should be made aware of where their vehicles are going," Gwynn said. "Just give them a card with the case number. We’re doing that anyway... and if they’re not doing it? Then yeah, it’s going to seem as if it’s intentional."  Source: fox13now.com