From car trouble to getting in trouble with where one parks a car, there are a variety of reasons for which vehicles may be towed. For anybody who has experienced a car being hooked up to a truck and taken to a garage for repairs - even when from his or her own driveway, mere steps from the comfort of home - it is not an enjoyable activity. In the case of car issues that lead to spur of the moment towing arrangements, this sort of inconvenience can be even more taxing and there is a lot to keep in mind.

Breaking down during travels is not only inconvenient, it can be dangerous.

"It's no fun. It can be scary, especially with a younger driver. It can be traumatic for a woman with [her] kids, stuck on the side of the road," Berkshire Motors owner James Marcucilli said.

Cars can be towed away even if not because of a breakdown or accident. If a car is parked illegally, it may be subject to a tow. Newtown Police Lieutenant Aaron Bahamonde noted that there is a parking ban from sunset until sunrise on streets in town during the winter.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be during a snowstorm," said Lt Bahamonde, adding that melting solutions are put down on roads to prevent ice from forming on the roadways. "It allows for the trucks to move freely and safely throughout town."

Lt Bahamonde said the town public works department will contact police if a car is in the way on a road.

"It doesn't happen too often," said Lt Bahamonde, adding that when it does, police will first call the offender and then, if no response, will visit the home. The next step, if nobody answers the door, is to have the car towed.

So then what?

The vehicle owner is notified as to where the car was towed. In Newtown, vehicles parked illegally or broken down are towed to one of five garages, unless the owner is there to make arrangements to have it taken to a garage of his or her choice, or call AAA if a member, Lt Bahamonde said.

Amaral Motors, Sugar Hill Automotive Service, Hilario's Service Center, Newtown Exxon, and Modzelewski's Towing & Recovery are all on call 24 hours with Newtown Police, to respond on a rotating basis in the event of an accident or motor vehicle violation that requires towing.

"Some weeks it's very busy. Other weeks, hardly any," said Danny Amaral, owner of Amaral Motors, adding that his company will get called to tow as many as a dozen vehicles in a busy week. "It depends on the weather, driving conditions."

The only time a vehicle is towed to the police station's impound lot, Lt Bahamonde said, is if it is needed as part of an investigation.

The leading reason for a vehicle being towed in Newtown is accidents, Lt Bahamonde said. Suspended registration and illegal parking are less frequent causes for towing.

The state regulations allow towing companies to charge a maximum of $88 for a hookup. The first two miles of the tow are free, and the cost is as much as $4.75 for every mile thereafter. Fran Mayko, AAA New England spokesperson, notes that AAA memberships cover anywhere from 3 to 200 free miles depending on the plan a customer has. The per mile rate with AAA is $4 plus tax.

Lt Bahamonde noted that costs can increase in the event cars in an accident roll over, for example, requiring heavy duty equipment.

Storage fees are state regulated at $24 each day for the first five days and $28 per day for everyday thereafter, although shops can be forgiving, depending on scenarios.

"The only time I do apply that is if there is an accident and the insurance adjuster claims a total loss," said Mr Marcucilli, adding at that point, he charges the insurance companies, which can take a week to ten days to claim the vehicle.

"If I fix their car and they can't come pick it up for three to four days I don't charge them for storage," adds Mr Marcucilli, noting that Berkshire also offers free pickup and delivery of cars.

Most garages accept cash or credit card for storage fees.

Stay Safe, Know Options

Mr Marcucilli offers some advice to motorists whose vehicles break down. He suggested use of four-way flashers so other drivers recognize that the car is stopped on the road. "It can be very stressful," he said of a breakdown.

Mr Marcucilli noted that insurance cards have phone numbers for drivers to call in the event of an accident, and that many motorists also belong to AAA.

"They need to get an ETA on when the truck is going to get out there," Mr Marcucilli said. "If the weather gets snowy or stormy sometimes the trucks get busier."

Mr Marcucilli also suggested any person having his or her car towed have a look at the condition of their vehicle so any damage caused either during the tow or when at the shop can be addressed more easily.

"If you plan on having your car towed, take a walk around the car. Always walk around the car first," Mr Marcucilli said, "so you know the condition of the car. This way if something happens to it, [determining who is responsible and straightening out the situation] becomes much easier."

Lt Bahamonde offers some tips, including being patient rather than risking your life.

"If I ever broke down on a highway or had an issue, I would not try to change my tire or troubleshoot it," said Lt Bahamonde, adding that changing a tire on a dark Hattertown Road, for example, can be extremely dangerous.

"It's almost like your life or a save a couple of dollars," Lt Bahamonde added.

Lt Bahamonde said most people have a family member or friend pick them up at the scene of their towed vehicle, but that the police will bring them to their home or the police station for a ride as needed to ensure they arrive home or to their destination safely.

"You should have some sort of emergency kit or backup plan," Ms Mayko said. "This is probably the best time to have a cellphone, especially if you're nowhere near your home."

Garages Impacted

For repair shops, a car in need of repairs generally means business, but there are some interesting scenarios that shop owners deal with from time to time.

Situated very close to on and off ramps for Route 84, Berkshire Motors, at times, becomes a place for travelers who break down to have their car towed while it is closed on the weekend.

"Sometimes it ends up in my parking lot and there's a note on it," Mr Marcucilli said. In this instance, he does not charge the motorist for a brief storage, whether or not the driver has the repair work performed by Berkshire.

Mr Marcucilli said he twice has had trouble with the same AAA-affiliated shop being sent out for a tow in which his customers have requested their car be taken to Berkshire Motors, only to have it brought to that other shop for repairs. Mr Marcucilli noted that motorists should know they have the right to request where their car is towed and is hopeful that shops will abide.

Danny Amaral, owner of Amaral Motors occasionally has problems with customers not picking up their vehicles because "they know it's junk," he said.

Mr Amaral recently ended up with a vehicle belonging to a resident from another town. "I've called him and called him - no answer. So I know something's probably happened to him or he's moved," Mr Amaral said.

The next step, Mr Amaral and Mr Marcucilli explain, is to file paperwork with the state, signing a registered letter that the shop will dispose of the car legally. Most of the time owners who realize their car will be junked will bring the title, he said.

If a car is not picked up and Mr Amaral is unable to track down its owner, he applies with the state for an abandoned vehicle before getting rid of it, he said.

Mr Amaral does get paid by scrap yards for vehicles, but points out that the he incurs expense to transport the car off his premises and has to store the damaged vehicle in the meantime.

"I don't bury them out back," Mr Amaral said light-heartedly.