Communities finish towing cars left behind in snowstorm

As snow and ice began to melt and traffic got back up to speed Friday, local communities were clearing the final cars left behind by drivers during Wednesday afternoon's snowstorm.

Within city limits, police managed the removal of cars from roadways. Outside of incorporated areas and on state highways and interstates, the State Highway Patrol was directing the effort.

State law gives law enforcement agencies wide latitude in determining when to remove cars and where to send them, especially if those vehicles have been left for more than 24 hours. In almost all cases, car owners will be charged a towing fee and may face fees for storage.

Drivers are asked to first call the coresponding law enforcement agency to locate their cars.

Attorney General Roy Cooper reminded towing companies that bad weather is not a legitimate reason to jack up prices. 

Tammy Freeman was one of those who complained to Cooper's office after her towing toll totaled $400.

"I thought it was price gouging," she said. "I thought that they were trying to rip me off. Yes, it was bad conditions, I understand that. I don't know if it's because it had a female name on the car, registered to a female. That's how I felt: You're trying to rip me off because I'm female."

Freeman said she expected that the City of Raleigh would tow her car to a parking lot for pickup.She had left it on Atlantic Avenue in Raleigh after it broke down. By the time she returned, it had been towed.

Bobby Tyree, of Bobby's Towing, said he got the call about Freeman's car after police impounded it because it was in the middle of the road. He called the charges for his services a going rate.