5:30 yesterday sitting in traffic waiting to get onto 169 from the BA when behind me I see flashing yellow lights...he proceeds to move down the left lane of the inside of the BA past everyone in line, I am thinking he is getting on the northbound 169...no the guy goes to the from and cuts off people in order to get on the on-ramp to southbound 169 only to pass everyone on the shoulder....
Now, correct me if I am wrong but since when is a wrecker an emergency vehicle. I called the office and asked them about it only to be hung up on twice...anyone have some info on this?
What is your complaint? If he was responding to a wreck and has his flashers on do you expect him to wait patiently in line? The wreck is holding up traffic and you won't give him ups? Maybe I misunderstood. If he was just using the lights to get to the front of the line and there was no wreck I could see some animosity but he could still justify it by needing to be able to respond to an accident.
Thanks for contributing nothing to this thread...anyone else....
I think waterboy answered it correctly
http://www.oscn.net/applications/OCISWeb/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=81888
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=437558
Where exactly in those two links does it answer anything?
Oh gee, I don't know maybe where it says:
Vehicles owned and operated by any local organization for emergency management as defined by Section 683.3 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes,
are authorized emergency vehicles
Here the Govener tells you the same thing.
5/9/08-Gov. Brad Henry has signed a bill into law exempting license wreckers in the state that are towing tractor-trailers from being ticketed for length regulations.
State regulations set the maximum length of a tow to 70 feet.
The new law, previously HB3193, also adds wreckers and tow vehicles to list of vehicles parked along roadsides that drivers are required to move further away. State law already requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles.
quote:
Originally posted by unknown
Oh gee, I don't know maybe where it says:
Vehicles owned and operated by any local organization for emergency management as defined by Section 683.3 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes,
are authorized emergency vehicles
The section in question:
"ยง63;683.3. Definitions.
As used in the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003:
1. "Emergency management" means the preparation for and the coordination of all emergency functions by organized and trained persons, who will extend existent governmental functions and provide other necessary nongovernmental functions, to prevent, minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from natural or man-made disasters developing to such an extent to cause an extreme emergency situation to arise which by declaration of the Governor jeopardizes the welfare of the citizens of this state. These emergency functions include, but are not limited to, fire fighting, law enforcement, medical and health, search and rescue, public works, warnings, communications, hazardous materials and other special response functions, evacuations of persons from affected areas, emergency assistance services, emergency transportation, and other functions related to preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation"
quote:
Here the Govener tells you the same thing.
The new law, previously HB3193, also adds wreckers and tow vehicles to list of vehicles parked along roadsides that drivers are required to move further away. State law already requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles.
The above language appears to include wreckers in a list that also includes emergency vehicles, without defining wreckers as emergency vehicles per se.
It was irritating as hell on July 4th when a Storey wrecker truck used its emergency lights to disperse people on 21st street so the driver and his date could get a good view for the fireworks.
I gots to get me one of them wreckers.
Doesn't bother me. If he is getting to the scene of an accident & his vehicle is needed to move a car, in the middle of the highway/street, that is holding up people trying to get home...I will gladly move over.
quote:
Originally posted by MichaelWayne_71
Doesn't bother me. If he is getting to the scene of an accident & his vehicle is needed to move a car, in the middle of the highway/street, that is holding up people trying to get home...I will gladly move over.
What about competing tow truck services? Whoever flies to the scene first gets the wrecker fee...
Reminds me of the pre-EMSA days of ambulance service in Tulsa.(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HDQEC6BYL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
quote:
Originally posted by waterboy
What is your complaint? If he was responding to a wreck and has his flashers on do you expect him to wait patiently in line? The wreck is holding up traffic and you won't give him ups? Maybe I misunderstood. If he was just using the lights to get to the front of the line and there was no wreck I could see some animosity but he could still justify it by needing to be able to respond to an accident.
AMEN!
quote:
Originally posted by Samalicious
It was irritating as hell on July 4th when a Storey wrecker truck used its emergency lights to disperse people on 21st street so the driver and his date could get a good view for the fireworks.
Are you sure there wasnt a big wreck in the middle of the field blocking everyone's view of the fireworks? Im sure a tow truck driver would never abuse his privileges[:o)]
quote:
Originally posted by patric
quote:
Originally posted by Samalicious
It was irritating as hell on July 4th when a Storey wrecker truck used its emergency lights to disperse people on 21st street so the driver and his date could get a good view for the fireworks.
Are you sure there wasnt a big wreck in the middle of the field blocking everyone's view of the fireworks? Im sure a tow truck driver would never abuse his privileges[:o)]
Well, that's interesting. I was camped out with family ON 21st street between Main and Boulder. Didn't see the truck. Certainly wasn't blocking the view if it was there. However, I could understand that one would be allowed to park there on call.
Geez, doesn't every job have some benefit not listed in the job description? [;)]
The law states that wreckers can use amber/red/blue emergency lights while on the scene of an accident (basically if they are in the process of hooking up a vehicle).
Generally they use them to bypass traffic to get to the accident so they can get the vehicles out of the way. They aren't supposed to use them while driving otherwise, unless they pose a danger with what they are towing, which they shouldn't because they aren't towing whatever it is properly.
Don't get the complaint here. Wreckers need to get where they are going to prevent further accidents.
Also they were staging at the 4th of July fireworks to help response time to problems in the area.
Tulsa Police only use Storey. If you want someone else you have to arrange the tow.
Keep in mind that the Towing company's employees are paid by the hour, some are included in a bonus for towing miles. At an accident scene the law enforcement, fire & rescue are all paid a salary by the tax payers and they get paid regardless of the vehicle owners financial status. All involved are risking their lives and health working accident scenes on the shoulder of major highways and should be given room to perform their jobs.
The Wrecker Service owner does not receive any guaranteed payment from the towed vehicle's owner, and is required to pay licensing fees and other required fees to be in business, plus their standard overhead.
Once the damaged vehicle is towed away, the Wrecker Service owner may never recover any monies from the vehicle owner. Majority of the time the vehicle is beyond repair, owner has no insurance coverage and simply abandonds the vehicle leaving the Wrecker Service owner to deal with the carcus. Granted some may be sold at auction which also costs the Wrecker Service money, or taken to the crusher, another tow charge for fuel and drivers pay.
Every business has it's up and down sides. I support the sprit of the law that they are considered "Emergency Vehicles."
Not sure about the "Slow Down" wording in that law, I have seen and almost been involved in a multi vehicle domino crash due to a driver slowing down two lanes away from the shoulder lane. Watch for the smoke coming off tires 10 cars in front of you when approaching flashing lights along side of the highway.
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=9347922
Move over for wreckers too.
TULSA, OK -- Oklahoma's move over law has been on the books for two years now. It says if an emergency vehicle is pulled over on the side of the road, you must switch to a lane away from that vehicle. Lawmakers added something new to that law and it went into effect two weeks ago. The law now says you must not only move over for fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, but also wreckers.
Law enforcement says the grace period for the measure is now over.
"Now, we're taking a no tolerance stance. Law is out and on the books a couple of years. People should know that it is dangerous and against the law. We're going to write those tickets," said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown.
Distracted, on the phone, not paying attention, none of those excuses will work if an emergency vehicle or wrecker is on the roadway.
If traffic is jammed up and you absolutely cannot get over, you must slow way down when passing an emergency vehicle or wrecker.
The ticket for not moving over is $206.
Thanks for the info! Now I need to go get me a wrecker truck....
The thing that bothers me more is a cop in a cop car speeding with no emergency lights. The statutes clearly states any time the enforcement officer is exceeding the posted speed limit he shall do so under flashing lights. It obviously is a safety issue that is not obeyed by many of our Tulsa's finest.
quote:
Originally posted by citizen72
The thing that bothers me more is a cop in a cop car speeding with no emergency lights. The statutes clearly states any time the enforcement officer is exceeding the posted speed limit he shall do so under flashing lights. It obviously is a safety issue that is not obeyed by many of our Tulsa's finest.
not to mention it is a waste of fuel on the taxpayer's dime. the only thing that tops it is when said cop is speeding without lights AND talking on personal cell phone. To my knowledge TPD doesn't issue iPhones to the cops.
but noooo the cops in this town don't think they are above the law.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
the only thing that tops it is when said cop is speeding without lights AND talking on personal cell phone.
...or maybe texting on their cellphone while driving. OHP specifically exempted themselves from the no texting law they have been promoting.
quote:
Originally posted by patric
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
the only thing that tops it is when said cop is speeding without lights AND talking on personal cell phone.
...or maybe texting on their cellphone while driving. OHP specifically exempted themselves from the no texting law they have been promoting.
you mean they really did by law, or just in practice?
Very refreshing to see I am not the only one that objects to the two faced aspect to law enforcement. I.e. a cop is speeding down the road with no lights and and pulls someone over for speeding. Something very wrong about that picture. Bully to you copper.
Can anyone quantify "slow way down"? It sounds too much like "too fast for conditions".
quote:
Originally posted by patric
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
the only thing that tops it is when said cop is speeding without lights AND talking on personal cell phone.
...or maybe texting on their cellphone while driving. OHP specifically exempted themselves from the no texting law they have been promoting.
Probably because they use the texting over using the radio more now.....
quote:
Originally posted by MDepr2007
quote:
Originally posted by patric
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
the only thing that tops it is when said cop is speeding without lights AND talking on personal cell phone.
...or maybe texting on their cellphone while driving. OHP specifically exempted themselves from the no texting law they have been promoting.
Probably because they use the texting over using the radio more now.....
on their iPhone? Bull****.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
on their iPhone? Bull****.
iPhones make them fear for their lives, at least in Tenessee (//%22http://theoneblog.brendanloy.com/2008/07/tenessee-man-arrested-for-unlawful.html%22)