For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCIDENT. An occurrence in the operation of a motor vehicle which results in injury/damage to any person or property.
AUTHORIZED WRECKER SERVICE. A service that adheres to all ordinances of the city, and has current inspection certificates.
CHIEF OF POLICE. The Police Chief for the City of Big Sandy, or his or her designate.
CITY. The City of Big Sandy, Texas.
DISABLED. Any vehicle which has been rendered unsafe to be driven upon the streets as the result of some occurrence other than a wreck, reasonably requiring that the vehicle be removed by a wrecker.
HEAVY DUTY WRECKER. A wrecker not less than two tons in size.
LIGHT DUTY WRECKER. A wrecker not less than one ton in size.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Any vehicle which is self-propelled.
OWNER’S REQUEST. When the operator or owner of a wrecked or disabled vehicle has selected a wrecker company to remove his or her vehicle and/or has authorized the Police Department to call that wrecker company.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. The City of Big Sandy Police Department.
POLICE PULL. When the Police Department has called a wrecker company from the rotation list to remove a wrecked or disabled vehicle or to remove a vehicle in a safe driving condition, when the driver is absent, in custody or otherwise incapable of making authorization.
PRIVATE PROPERTY COMMONLY USED BY THE PUBLIC. Includes supermarkets or shopping center parking lots, parking areas provided by business establishments for the convenience of their customers, clients or patrons, parking areas owned and operated for the convenience of and commonly used by the public.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Any property owned by a governmental entity.
ROTATION. When the operator of a wrecked or disabled vehicle fails to designate a specific wrecker operator to remove his or her vehicle and he or she has authorized the Police Department to call a wrecker from the rotation list.
STREET. Any street, alley, avenue, lane, public place or highway within the limits of the city.
TOW TRUCK. A vehicle equipped with a lifting device and which is designed, made or adapted to tow or carry other vehicles, but which does not meet the minimum requirements for a wrecker. Vehicles which are commonly referred to as “two-car haulers” or “three-car haulers” are included in this definition of TOW TRUCK.
VEHICLE. Any device, in, upon or by which any person or property is, or may be, transported or drawn upon a street, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
WRECKED. The status of any vehicle that has been damaged as the result of an accident so as to reasonably require that the vehicle be removed by a wrecker.
WRECKER BUSINESS. Any wrecker company that hauls, tows or in any way moves vehicles by the use of a wrecker or tow truck
WRECKER COMPANY.
(1) Any individual, corporation, partnership or association engaged in the business of towing disabled and/or wrecked vehicles on public streets or highways for compensation or with the expectation of compensation for the towing, storage or repair of vehicles.
(2) The term WRECKER COMPANY includes the owner, operator employee or agent of a towing company, but does not include cities, counties or other political subdivisions of the state.
(Ord. 9-12-95, passed 9-12-1995)