10-03-06 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing

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§ 78-163 LA PORTE CODE Secs. 78-163-78-195. Reserved. ARTICLE III. AUTOMOBILE WRECKERS AND TOWING VEHICLES* DIVISION 1. GENERALLY 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 without having been expressly summoned there by the police department or the owner of one of the vehicles involved in the accident. 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 wrecking, 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 tires or otherwise equipped with tools for performing minor repairs not involving towage or transportation of wrecked or disabled vehicles. Wrecker driver means any individual who actually operates and drives a towing vehicle or an auto wrecker on the streets of the city, either on his own account or in the employ of another. (Code 1970, § 6-1; Ord. No. 1746, § 1(6-1-B), 2-25-91; Ord. No. 96-2136, § 1(6-1-B), 9-23-96) Cross reference —Definitions generally, § 1-2. Sec. 78-197. Effect of state law and regulations. The provisions of this article are subject to the provisions of V.T.C.A., Transportation Code §§ 502.281, 502.051 and 502.102 and the Texas Vehicle Storage Facility Act, Vernon's Ann. Civ. *State law reference —Texas tow truck act, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6687-96. CD78:18