Q. If my car is in the process of being towed and is already hooked up to the tow truck but I get to my car before the truck drives off, is the tow driver required to let my car down? Also, what constitutes a storage charge? Is the storage charged as soon as the car enters the yard?

A. The "unhooking" fee actually was eliminated in July.

The law governing towing fees now reads, "If the vehicle is in the process of being hooked up to a tow truck and the owner appears on the scene before the vehicle has been moved by the tow truck, the towing company shall unhook the vehicle."

However, while eliminating the unhooking fee, Act 269 allows towing companies to increase towing fees by $10, mileage fees by $1 and daily storage fees by $5.

Tows now can cost $65 to $75, with a $30 surcharge for difficult hookups, plus $7.50 per mile towed.

The daily storage fee has increased to $20 and goes into effect as soon as the vehicle enters the yard.

Q. Do I have to pay storage charges if it took the city a month to notify me that my car was towed?

A. Act 269 requires the Department of Transportation or the county department of finance to inform the owner of a tow in writing within 15 days.

The law reads, "Where the owners have not been so notified, then the owner may recover the owner's car from the towing company without paying tow or storage fees; provided that the notice need not be sent to a legal or registered owner or any person with an unrecorded interest in the vehicle whose name or address cannot be determined."

If you are still asked to pay, you can sue to recover damages.

Q. Cars heading 'ewa on Ala Moana boulevard during afternoon rush hour are always blocking the intersection at the Diamond Head end of Kewalo Basin so there is no space to turn when my light is green. Who can I call to get some better signs or monitoring by police officers?

A. According to state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa, the two "Do Not Block Intersection" signs on the median and sidewalk are adequate.

Even if the signs weren't there, however, it's still illegal to block an intersection and drivers can be cited.

Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu said motorists must be mindful of the intersection law and suggested that if drivers continue to disregard the signs, your best bet is to call 911 and report the problem.

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