Martin Grosz
08/19/2021 6:00 AM
Clarín.com
Services
Updated 08/19/2021 6:00 AM
"And the car? Was it stolen?"
That is usually the first thing a driver thinks when noticing that his vehicle is not where he left it.
Then you will see the
sticker
that informs you that the car
was towed
because it was badly parked.
The mishap, hopefully, will end only with several
thousand pesos
lost.
And with bad luck, having to make a
claim
for
damages
.
During the pandemic, those who drive in the City of Buenos Aires had had two
periods of truce
, during which they were allowed to park every day
as if it were Sunday
.
But this month, after a couple of weeks of warnings, the usual pre-coronavirus rules returned.
And with them the fines and the
frantic coming and going
of the cranes lifting cars from the streets and avenues where parking was no longer allowed.
According to data from the Buenos Aires government, in the
pre-pandemic
there were between 13,000 and
15,000 hauls per month
on average: that is, almost
1 every 3 minutes
.
This year, on the other hand, due to the free parking measures, between
January and July
the average was
8,600 carries
per month.
However, this month, with the return of the usual restrictions, the
reactivation was notorious
: only in the first
fortnight
(from Monday 2 to Tuesday 17) there were
6,936 carries
.
And the process of returning to normality will continue its course.
Before taking the car, the traffic officer takes photos that document the violation.
Photo: Marcelo Carroll.
"After two weeks of raising awareness, it began to be carried in places that were allowed by the pandemic. Cars that were improperly parked
on avenues and streets
where it is forbidden to leave the vehicle from
7 to 21 hours
were lifted
. And in the
coming weeks
it will begin to be transported in the
tariff zone
, "they confirmed to
Clarín
in the City's Secretary of Transportation.
The importance of being prepared
To the surprise that your vehicle has just been hauled, it is in your neighbor's interest to be very
well informed
about what to do to get your vehicle back,
how much they can charge you
and
what your rights are
in that situation.
Especially because, as
Clarín
reported
recently, the modality continues to generate complaints from people who understand that the hauling
was unfair
.
Or that you find that your vehicle
was damaged
during the move, which is sometimes done at
excessive speed
regardless of potholes, ditches and other obstacles.
Here is a summary of everything you need to
know and do before a haulage
in the City to recover the car quickly, pay only what is due and that all rights are respected.
Cranes are sometimes seen driving at full speed with hitched cars.
Photo: Marcelo Carroll / Archive.
In which cases can they carry a car and in which not?
In the Ombudsman's Office of the City they explained to
Clarín
that a vehicle can be carried by the crane if it was left in blocks with current prohibition, or affecting normal circulation, or invading ramps, bike paths and reserved spaces, among other cases.
But
there are
well-defined
limits
to consider.
"Those in charge of the hauling will
not be able to do it
if the driver is
inside the vehicle
or if he arrives at the right place at the moment in which they are about to take him away," they clarified.
"The removal," they added, "can only be ordered by a
public official
with police power or by a
traffic
control agent
, who will determine when to proceed.
It is not the carriers
who decide."
Parking on bike lanes is always prohibited and is a valid reason for the car to be towed away.
Photo: GCBA.
How do you know where the car was taken?
If the car was towed, they should leave a
warning sticker on
the curb
with the address of the
tow
beach to which it was taken.
The data also appears, many times,
next to the sign
that warns in that block about the prohibition of parking or the obligation to pay.
If none of this were, it will be enough to know which is the area of influence of each of the
three beaches
to which cars can be taken:
Av. 9 de Julio and Sarmiento
.
This underground beach receives vehicles that were removed between Viamonte Street and Belgrano Avenue.
Tacuarí 1277 and Av. San Juan
.
Located under the 9 de Julio highway, it receives vehicles that were from Av. Belgrano (including this one) to the south.
Behind the Faculty of Law
.
At this beach, located on Couture street between Bibiloni and González, vehicles lifted from Viamonte street (including this one) to the north will stop.
Who can search for the vehicle, at what times and with what documentation?
The procedure to recover the car is done at the hauling beach before the
operating company
in charge of the area, which can be:
Controlled Parking System
(SEC), for the
southern
zone
: 0810-222-7736.
Ordered Transit System (STO), for the
north
zone
: 0800-333-5464 or 4806-9556.
The three beaches are open and are open to the public
24 hours a day
, 365 days a year.
The owner of the car or an authorized driver with a
blue card
can go to the place
.
In addition to the green or blue card, in order to carry out the procedure, you will have to present your
ID
or passport, the
driver's license
and proof that the
insurance
or policy is up to date.
There are three hauling beaches in the City and they are always open to pick up cars.
Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi.
How much do you have to pay for the haulage?
After presenting the documentation, the staff will ask to make a
payment for the transport
.
How much should they charge?
It's
$ 4,350
.
But also, if it takes more than
12 hours
to get the car,
$ 780
will be added
for every 12 hours of additional stay.
For example, for a car removed on a Friday night,
$ 4,350
will be paid
in case of going to pick it up after a few hours, but
$ 5,130
if the procedure is done on Saturday afternoon,
$ 6,690
arriving 48 hours after the hauling. and
$ 7,740
if you let the whole weekend go by.
Do you also have to pay a fine to be able to take the car?
No. Once the charge has been paid for the haulage and -if applicable- for the stay longer than 12 hours, the vehicle
can
now
be removed
.
But the pocket could continue to suffer since it will still be necessary to face the fine for the allegedly committed offense.
The personnel of the hauling beach cannot demand in any case the payment of the fine as a
condition to deliver
the car.
They will provide a copy of the violation, which will also be sent to the owner of the car
by mail
.
To take the car you have to pay the cost of the transport, but not the fine, which can then be discussed.
Photo: Rolando Andrade Stracuzzi.
How much are the fines to pay?
The amounts of the fines vary according to the
type of infraction
and its
severity
:
-For leaving the car in blocks with
metered parking
without paying what corresponds (lack of ticket or expired ticket),
$ 3,900
.
-For parking in
prohibited places
in general, without special aggravations,
$ 3,900
.
-For parking in
places reserved
for emergency services, public transport stops, vehicle entrances, bicycle lanes, exclusive lanes, Metrobus corridors, and in the Macro and Microcentro area,
$ 7,800
.
-For parking in places reserved for vehicles of people with disabilities or blocking
ramps
for people with reduced mobility,
$ 11,700
.
How to claim if the vehicle was unfairly hauled?
The Buenos Aires government emphasizes that each haulage is
monitored by a
traffic
agent
, who accompanies the company staff and
takes a photo
of the car at the scene of the offense "so that the process is more transparent."
Still,
controversial cases
can arise
.
"It cannot be overlooked that in many parts of the City
the signage
of the places where parking is prohibited is extremely deficient, either due to the
lack of
indicative
signs
or the
lack of yellow paint
on the curbs, leading to the error many drivers, "they explained to the Ombudsman.
Thus, whoever considers that his vehicle was unfairly hauled can defend himself by
making a discharge
to the Fault Controller.
How?
Digitally by
sending a WhatsApp message to +54 911 5050-0147 or through the channels detailed on this website.
"If the Controller of Misconduct dismisses the fine for considering it
inadmissible
, the company must
return the amount
corresponding to the hauling," they added in the Ombudsman's Office of the City.
In front of a bus stop it is very clear that you can never park, but there are cases that do lend themselves to confusion.
Photo: GCBA.
How to claim if the vehicle suffered damage during transportation?
The Ombudsman's Office confirmed that this situation constitutes "one of the
most recurrent
complaints
made by users."
Sometimes they are
dents
that are obvious.
Other times,
mechanical problems
that are discovered when circulating again.
Who should answer for those damages?
"
The company
is in charge of the repair, it has an associated insurance for that," they told
Clarín
in the Buenos Aires Transportation Secretariat.
To obtain the repair, yes, it will be necessary to
claim
immediately.
A
damage report note should
be written
in the hauling beach complaint book and
a copy should be taken with you
.
Where to turn if the company refuses to answer for the damages?
The Regulatory Body of Public Services of the City is the body in charge of controlling the companies that manage metered parking in Buenos Aires.
It intervenes in the face
of user
complaints
(which can be made from this site) and applies sanctions.
On the other hand, in the absence of a response to complaints, or to receive further
advice
, residents can go to the Ombudsman's Office of the City by writing an email to serviciospublicos@defensoria.org.ar.
Parking in the ochavas is prohibited and those who do so may suffer the hauling of their vehicle.
Photo: Lucía Merle / Archive.
What are the rules that must be respected to avoid carry-overs?
Unless there are signs indicating something different, the
general
parking
rules
say the following:
-
Double-handed avenues
.
It is forbidden to park next to both sidewalks on business days from 7 am to 9 pm.
-
Avenues of one hand
.
It is forbidden to park next to the left side of the road on business days from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
And allowed to park next to the right sidewalk every day 24 hours.
-
Streets of one hand
.
It is forbidden to park next to the left sidewalk every day, 24 hours a day.
And allowed to park next to the right sidewalk every day 24 hours.
-
Double-handed streets
.
Allowed to park next to both sidewalks every day 24 hours.
-
Metered parking
.
It was reactivated in the tariff zones during the usual days and hours.
-
Center and pedestrian courts
.
The restriction to circulate does not apply yet, but you cannot park.
-
Other situations
.
It is forbidden to park 24 hours a day on ramps, ochavas, garages, bus stops, reserved spaces, bike lanes, sidewalks and pedestrian paths.
Anyway, when you have a
specific question
about what the rules are in a certain block, you can write a message on WhatsApp at +54 911 5050-0147 that says "
Where can I park?
"
Before the query, the City's
chatbot
will ask to enter the address and will give the answer instantly.
MG
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