Connecticut Towing Companies Use Belongings Left in Cars as Leverage to Collect Fees, Drivers Say

Connecticut has one of the shortest windows in the country between when a car is towed and when tow companies can consider it abandoned and start the process of selling it.

Maine allows people to retrieve clothing, car seats, medications and mail from towed cars.

Connecticut lawmakers are looking to change the state’s towing laws, which was voted out of committee in March .

The bill would make it harder for towing companies to tow vehicles that are parked illegally or unsafely.

Tow company employees and owners have objected to the bill.

Drivers say they lost things they needed for work, including tools, knives and a draft of a movie script.

The bill "makes a strong effort to identify and correct abusive practices in the towing industry," legal aid attorney says.