02-07-12 Wrecker Committee Meeting and Public Hearing

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§ 78-163 LA PORTE CODE i Secs. 78-163-78-195. Reserved. ARTICLE Ill. AUTOMOBILE WRECKERS AND TOWING V=CL.ES* DIVISION 1. GENER—ALLY Sec. 78-196. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Auto wrecker means a towing vehicle which may lawfully appear at the scene of an accident where a vehicle has collided with another vehicle or other object or which has been wrecked or disabled in any manner for the purpose or expectation of towing, removing or hauling away the wrecked vehicle from the scene of the accident having been expressly summoned there by the police department or the owner of one of the vehicles involved in the accident. Consent towing means any tow of a motor vehicle with the consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle. Heavy duty wrecker means an auto wrecker which is not less than Eve tons in size. Non -consent towing means any tow of a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle. Owner means any person engaged in the business of towing motor vehicles for hire or engaged in the business of storing, wrecking or repairing motor vehicles for hire and who owns or is entitled to use any auto wrecker or towing vehicle, and who uses such vehicle in the conduct of his business or any part thereof. Towing vehicle means any automobile, truck or other motor vehicle used for the purpose of towing, carrying, pushing or otherwise transporting any motor vehicle which has collided with another motor vehicle or other object, or which has been wrecked or disabled in any manner, from one place to another for any purpose including, but not limited to, the purpose of wrechmg, storing or repairing the vehicle, and does not appear at the scene of an accident where a vehicle has been disabled upon a public street or public place for the purpose or expectation of towing one of the vehicles from the scene. The term "towing vehicle" shall not be construed to include a service car or other vehicle not equipped with mechanical devices for transporting wrecked vehicles and not used for such purposes, such as service cars, equipped with compressed air containers and tools for repairing punctured ;fires or otherwise equipped with tools for performing minor repairs not involving towage or transportation of wrecked or disabled vehicles. *State law referern.ce—Texas tow truck act, Ve=on`s Ann. Civ. St. art. 6687-96. Sapp. No. 24-. CD78.18