Councillor Parrish suggested that an enhanced list of questions/concerns/comments with respect to the Collision Report Centre (CRC) wait times and hours of operation be compiled.
Members of the Towing Advisory Committee raised the following questions/concerns/comments:
- increase fee for re-tow to CRC's
- hours of service at CRC's
- distance to get to a CRC
- who is responsible for instructing at an accident site; police, owner or by-law officer
- provincial Rules states claims under $2,000 are not required to attend at a CRC
- availability of educational literature for towing industry members
- will there be additional CRC offices, specifically in the east end of the City
- Corporate structure of the CRC
- are Insurance staff physically at the CRC's
- why are drivers not permitted to attend inside CRC's
- insurance company advertising with Peel Regional Police logo; request the removal of the advertising sign
Michael Foley, Manager, Mobile Licensing responded as follows:
- explained the definition of tow rates under the current by-law which includes provisions for towing to CRC's; advised that staff would have to look into amendments to the by-law that would allow for compensation for multiple trips as a result of the CRC's limited hours.
- noted that the FAQ's on the Peel Regional Police website state that claims under $2,000 does not require attendance at a CRC; reporting can be done within 48 hours of collision; vehicle owner can evaluate damages and decide if they wish to attend CRC;
- explained that vehicles can be towed to a storage pound facility, vehicle owner's home or facility of owner's request until CRC offices are opened, and the towing fees applicable
- noted that the Peel Regional Police have identified concerns with respect to service gaps, including CRC locations, and that these matters are being reviewed
- advised he is not aware of insurance representatives at the CRC's; however, they may provide telephone access to insurance companies to assist owners with their claim
- commented on the possibility of capacity issues at the CRC's; therefore drivers may not be permitted; will report back
In response to Councillor Parrish's inquiry regarding whether staff have attended at CRC locations to monitor the wait times, Michael Foley, Manager, Mobile Licensing advised that staff have attended on a couple of occasions; however, in order to provide more detailed feedback that would include service levels on Monday mornings and after inclement weather, staff would have to attend over a period of months to observe those services levels.
Councillor Parrish suggested that industry members keep a log of actual date/time that they have attended at a CRC and the waiting time during their visit.
Councillor Parrish noted that the insurance representative did not address the inquiry on who is profiting from this operation at the meeting in October 2021, and requested staff to look into further.
Councillor Parrish noted that once all the feedback on wait times has been received that an in-person meeting in Council Chambers be scheduled
Councillor Starr noted that there is a lot of research to be done on this matter and encouraged Members to direct any industry members who have any concerns relating to the CRC's to contact the Councillor's on TIAC and/or Michael Foley, Manager, Mobile Licensing.