>> "But just for fun: what would you replace it with?"
>
> [WS:] That is very simple, actually. Put the cap on what the towing
> company can charge for towing.
In most juristictions, these rates are set by the municipalities. Here's an example from Oakland, the guys who towed Joanna's car:
http://www.abimpound.com/Tow%20fees%20Jan%202010.pdf
Note that there are different rates for different juristictions such as CHP vs OPD.
> As I understand it, they can charge whatever they want ...
Well, perhaps you misunderstand it :-)
> which often is several times the regular towing rate ...
It's more expensive, for sure. But: there's more involved. If you call them and have them tow your car, it's one price. If the city calls them and involves them in the legal process, that's more work. More work = more cost. And since it's work for the city, the city wants their costs paid as well. So when you pay for a tow, you're also paying the city to manage the tow process.
That seems fair to me.
> which creates a financial incentives for these guys to bend if
> not break the law to tow your car.
There's a big piece of the story missing for you here: tow companies don't tow cars unless a police officer asks them to. The police officer is required to be present when the tow occurs, even if it means waiting around for the tow truck to show up.
> Another thing - require a positive proof (photos, witnesses, etc.)
> that the car was parked illegally - not just the word of a jackass
> with a tow truck who has a financial incentive to hijack your car.
Again, you're missing a lot of data: the "positive proof" is *sworn to* by the officer.
Tow truck drivers don't drive around enforcing traffic laws :-)
> I am not against the principle of towing illegally parked cars - I am
> against turning that into a money making racket by unscrupuloos
> business scum.
I'm with you, but I think you made up something to rail against. Since you don't drive, I'd be curious to know what you based these statements on. Have you ever had your car towed? I know that when people get their cars towed, it feels like a lot more money than whatever a "regular" tow would be. But: towing isn't cheap. And often when people say "My car got towed" they really mean to say "My car got towed and it was stored for 5 days" ...
/jordan