New tow truck service to bring with it heavy fines for motorists

Motorists will have their cars towed and face charges of almost $400 for parking in a Hobart clearways during morning peak times from Monday.

A new Clearway sign near on Macquarie Street, Hobart as the State Government implements strict measures during morning peak hour traffic. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

HOBART motorists are set to face charges of almost $400 for parking in Macquarie St clearways during morning peak times.

From Monday cars found parked in clearway zones between 6.30am and 9am weekdays will be towed to a Mornington impound lot without notice and motorists will have to pay $382.62 to get their car back.

Drivers also face charges of $60 in additional fees for every day their vehicle is stored at the impound.

There are two clearways on Macquarie Street, both on the left hand side of the street. One runs between Denison Lane and Molle Street, and the second runs between Barrack and Harrington Streets.

Signs have been erected to warn motorists of the risk of their car being towed.

Motorists had previously received fines for parking in CBD clearways but towing has not been enforced until now under a proposal the State Government said would help ease traffic congestion.

“Vehicles stopped in clearways impact the flow of traffic and safety of other road users by causing a blockage to the flow of traffic during peak times,” Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said.

“Removing vehicles that are illegally stopped in these zones will help traffic move safely and efficiently, especially during the busiest times of day.”

Mr Ferguson said the Government would also be rolling out another incident response tow truck to expand towing capabilities on the Brooker, Domain, Tasman and East Derwent highways.

RACT executive general manager Community and Membership Stacey Pennicott said the state’s peak motoring body supported tow truck removal of parked cars in clearways but said more was still needed to address Hobart’s traffic woes.

“The RACT supports the Tasmanian Government initiative that will see cars illegally parked in clearways during morning peak times towed as a quick win to address congestion issues.

But we maintain that there is a need to implement a long term vision to address congestion as outlined in our 30 year Greater Hobart Mobility Vision.”