As the winter weather sweeps through Kansas, law enforcement officials say they’re seeing more stranded drivers on the road.
“The snow is starting to melt, but we’re still having vehicles slide off because they’ll have some maybe dry pavement, and then they’ll lose some slush, lose control and maybe slide off,” said Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Gary Warner.
Drivers are typically given 48 hours to clear their vehicles off the roads, but Kansas law says the KHP and other agencies can tow vehicles sooner. If an abandoned car poses a risk to other drivers, it will get towed, Warner said.
He suggests that if a driver’s car breaks down, they personally get the vehicle towed.
Some Wichita towing companies say that a winter-weather tow will cost about $80, but it could be as much as $500 for vehicles that are overturned. One company said it usually takes about one hour to respond to a scene, but the demand has been so high this week, it’s been closer to five hours.
Law enforcement agencies do have arrangements with local towing companies, but drivers who make their own arrangements could save time and money.
“It’s always a good idea to get it towed as expeditiously as possible, but the bottom line is all the records are tied up with other slide-offs, other wrecks that have occurred so the wait has been several hours in a lot of instances,” Warner said.