The legislature is trying to assure that drivers whose mangled cars are towed by companies called by the state Highway Patrol won't be paying more than others in needing a tow.

The House passed a bill today that insists tow companies who take part in a rotation list for the state Highway Patrol charge "reasonable rates," Mandy Locke reports. That charge should not be more than fees charged by companies not on the rotation list. The bill now returns to the Senate for a final vote.

"This is a big step in the right direction to make sure people are treated fairly on the side of the road when they are most vulnerable," said Capt. Everett Clendenin, spokesman for the state Highway Patrol.

Drivers have complained to the patrol for years that the towing companies troopers had called to help were gouging motorists. The patrol attempted to set price caps, but towing owners resisted.

The legislation will require that prices charged by those on the rotation be within 15 percent of a median price established for each region of the state. The median price will be determined based on estimates submitted by the companies.

The N.C. Highway Patrol is tightening the system for calling wreckers to crash scenes after complaints about price gouging, snarly tow truck drivers and even stolen money.

Highway Patrol officials told the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee Thursday that motorists complained that tow truck operators, called to the scene by troopers, were tacking on a host of added charges, such as a fee for sweeping up taillight glass, as well as treating car owners disrespectfully and, in some cases, stealing items out of cars.

"The public holds the highway patrol accountable for what happens at that accident scene," Col. Walter Wilson, the patrol's commander, told the committee.

Wilson emphasized that the patrol's first priority is safety.

More after the jump.

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