Will the police call a tow truck for me after an accident?

Generally, no. The police are there for safety and investigation. The responsibility to arrange a tow remains with you unless your vehicle is a hazard or is being impounded.

Can a police officer recommend a specific tow company?

No. Police officers must remain impartial and will not recommend or endorse any specific commercial towing service.

A tow driver said the police told him to tow my car. Is this true?

It is highly unlikely and is a common pressure tactic. Verify this by asking an officer directly. If it's a police-ordered tow, the officer will confirm it.

If the police close a road, do I lose my right to choose a tow truck?

No. Even if a road is closed for safety, you still have the right to choose who tows your vehicle once the scene is safe for recovery operations.

What is the difference between a police-ordered tow and a regular tow?

A police-ordered tow is non-consensual and done for legal or safety reasons, using a police-contracted operator. A regular tow is a commercial service that you, the driver, arrange and consent to.

Police at the Scene Does Not Mean You Lose Choice

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When WA Police attend a crash scene, their priority is public safety, not managing your towing preferences. A common misconception, often pushed by tow operators, is that police control who tows your car. This is false in most cases. You still have the right to choose.

The Role of Police at an Accident Scene

WA Police are there to:

Secure the scene and protect people from further harm.
Direct traffic and clear road blockages.
Investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Arrange medical assistance if needed.

They are not there to act as a dispatch service for tow companies.

When Police Can Order a Tow

There are specific situations where police have the authority to have your vehicle towed. This is known as a police-ordered tow or an impound.

If the vehicle is a serious traffic hazard and needs to be cleared immediately.
If the driver is arrested or unable to remain with the vehicle.
If the vehicle needs to be seized as evidence in a criminal investigation.

In these specific cases, the police will use a contracted tow operator from their own roster. This is not the same as a standard, post-accident tow that you arrange for yourself.

You Retain Your Right to Choose

For the vast majority of accidents, once the police have completed their initial work and confirmed the road is safe, the responsibility for arranging a tow rests with you, the driver. Police officers will not and cannot force you to use a specific company.

Some tow operators will imply they have been “sent by the police” to create a false sense of authority. This is almost always a lie.

What to Say to an Officer

If you are unsure, you can ask the officer directly:

“Officer, am I free to arrange my own tow now?”

In nearly all standard cases, the answer will be yes. This confirms your right to choose and removes any doubt created by an opportunistic tow driver.

The Smartest Call to Make

Do not let the presence of emergency services rush you into a bad decision. Take a moment, step away from the immediate scene if it is safe, and make your own call.

Calling InstaTow ensures you get a vetted operator, an upfront price, and a clear record of the job, all with your full consent. Police presence is for safety; your choice of tow provider is for your own financial protection.