West Lafayette, Indiana, Council Approves Towing Changes

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Indiana city West Lafayette adopted new rules governing how towing companies handle after-hours vehicle retrieval. The ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Erin Easter, follows the enactment of Indiana House Bill 1390 earlier this year.

The change requires towing companies to make vehicles available for pickup outside of normal business hours and sets a maximum fee of $68 for after-hours retrieval. Previously, motorists whose cars were towed late on a Friday, for example, often had to wait until Monday to reclaim their vehicle, incurring multiple days of storage charges.

Easter said the measure is designed to protect residents from unnecessary costs and delays. “Now you don’t have to wait,” she explained. “You can go get your car immediately by reducing potential additional fees. It helps protect customers, which is good.”

The ordinance passed on first reading and will take effect once formally adopted. Source: https://www.purdueexponent.org