TOW TRUCKS AND WRECKERS
AS EMERGENCY VEHICLES
House Bill 4887
Sponsor: Rep. John Pastor
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 10-10-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4887 AS INTRODUCED 6-24-03
House Bill 4887 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to include within the definition of an authorized emergency vehicle, a tow truck or wrecker that assists in an emergency at the request of a policy agency.
Currently under the law, an “authorize emergency vehicle” means:
· vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles, ambulances, or privately owned motor vehicles of volunteer or paid fire fighters (if authorized by the chief of an organized fire department), or privately owned motor vehicles of volunteers or paid members of a life support agency licensed by the Department of Consumer and Industry Services (if authorized by the life support agency); or,
· a vehicle (properly equipped with flashing lights) owned and operated by a federally recognized nonprofit charitable organization that is used exclusively for assistance during an emergency.
House Bill 4887 would retain both of these definitions, and add a third: a tow truck or wrecker giving a visual signal by means of a flashing, rotating, or oscillating red light, would be an authorized emergency vehicle if it were at the scene of an emergency at the request or direction of a law enforcement or police agency.
MCL 257.2
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.