“Paying For The Cost Of Removing Disabled Vehicles From Ghana’s Roads” 

The Corruption and Fraud Audit Consortium (CAFAC) of Ghana wishes to lend its voice to the ongoing debate about the towing of disabled vehicles in Ghana and the best way to finance the program. The CEO of CAFAC, Hector Boham is a consultant with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and believes that the program utilized by the Authority which has worked effectively for decades will bring some critical insights and solutions to the Ghanaian dilemma.

It would seem to me that the most controversial issue in the raging debate centers around the question of whether paying for the towing of vehicles should be the responsibility of the incidental vehicle owner or it should be paid by all motorists along the lines of an insurance policy.

I can say on authority that the NJTA program makes the incidental vehicle owner, responsible for paying for the cost of towing and any other incidental expenses such as storage beyond a certain grace period.

It seems that many years ago, NJTA made the decision that it will not make the entire driving public pay for the financial cost of the acts of a private vehicle owner - acts which sometimes are irresponsible, such as running out of gas on the highway.

The details of the NJTA program are outlined in the appendix below but I will spell them out in six simple sentences

1. When your vehicle breaks down you have to call a designated number
2. Assistance will come shortly thereafter
3. The vehicle will be towed to a place chosen by the driver
4. The driver is responsible for paying for the towing and any demurrage before his vehicle will be released
5. Where the driver abandons the vehicle or is unable to offer a designated refuge location, the towing company(contracted with NJTA) will tow the vehicle to a local garage that has a contract with NJTA
6. When the driver contacts NJTA, he or she will be given the address of the refuge garage. The driver will then be able to take delivery of his vehicle upon proper identification and payment of the towing and storage charges.

Without taking sides in the raging debate, we at Corruption and Fraud Audit Consortium (CAFAC) Ghana, hope that this little expose will inform the debate even as the government continues to engage stakeholders with a view of reaching a win-win solution.

Below are the summary details of the program for the New Jersey Turnpike.

New Jersey Turnpike

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE — DIAL #95
If your vehicle becomes disabled:

• Move your vehicle off the roadway to the shoulder on the right.
• Dial #95 on your cell phone to reach the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's Operations Center and request assistance. An authorized service garage will be dispatched to assist you.
• If you don’t have a cell phone, turn on your hazard lights and wait for a State Police patrol. If you have a white handkerchief or some other bright cloth, display it on the outside of your vehicle, on the side facing traffic, to signal that you are in need of assistance.
• For your safety and the safety of others, do not attempt to flag down passing vehicles. Do not attempt to hitchhike. Picking up or discharging persons on the Turnpike is illegal.
• Remember that the safest place on the Turnpike is inside your vehicle with your seat belt fastened. Do not attempt to cross the highway. Do not walk along the shoulder.
• If you want to make your own repairs, be mindful of the danger posed by the passing traffic. If possible, use cones, flares or reflective emergency signs.

TOWING AND RECOVERY RATES FOR AUTHORIZED TURNPIKE GARAGES

Only authorized garages are allowed to provide towing and roadside assistance on the Turnpike. The Turnpike Authority regulates the maximum rate our authorized providers may charge for those services.

• General Towing and Road Service Rates
  Effective Wednesday, April 12th 2017 at 7:00 AM – The new Road Service Charge for Sunoco will be $60.00 USDs, plus tax. All other information remains the same until further notice.

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NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY TOWING AND RECOVERY RATES (Effective March 2017) MAKE CERTAIN YOU RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL AUTHORITY TOWING RECEIPT. For the safety of our motorists, only garages and Road Service vehicles authorized by the Authority are permitted to tow or perform emergency services on the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway. TOWING AND ROAD SERVICES RATES ARE REGULATED BY THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY. ACTUAL RATES MAY BE LESS DUE TO LOW BID SYSTEM.

You can email Hector Boham at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also call him on 732-416-2878