Getting towed in Mount Pleasant could soon cost $200, a $50 increase (SC)

[TowNews]

MOUNT PLEASANT — Town Council has initially approved plans to let towing companies charge $200, rather than the current $150, if police summon a tow truck to a wreck or a DUI arrest.

 

That would make the town-approved towing charge slightly higher than on the Charleston peninsula or Daniel Island, and more than double the price of a tow in Charleston’s West Ashley section.

 

Mount Pleasant doesn’t provide towing, but sets the rates charged by a rotating list of towing companies that police use for accidents.

 

“It’s an economic way for us to clear roads when there’s an accident or a DUI arrest,” Police Chief Mark Arnold said. “We don’t want the towing companies to charge crazy fees for towing citizens at our request.”

 

Mount Pleasant sets the rates by ordinance. Some towns and cities, including Charleston, competitively bid for towing services.

 

In Charleston, across the river from Mount Pleasant, the city has different towing rates in different areas. They range from $195 on the Charleston peninsula to $90 in West Ashley. In most remaining areas, the charge is $180.

 

When there’s a wreck, or if a vehicle needs to be towed for some other public safety reason, the police typically call a towing company and the vehicle owner gets the bill.

 

Mount Pleasant plans to increase the allowable towing charge because it hasn’t changed in at least a decade, Arnold said.

 

Currently, a tow costs $150, and storage costs $25 per day. That would rise to $200 for a tow and $35 per day for storage.

 

Charges for picking up a towed vehicle after hours, and hourly rates for extracting a vehicle that needs towing, would also increase.

 

Town Council unanimously approved the change in a first vote on July 13. The council is next scheduled to meet Aug. 10.

 

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