Stokley Wreckers/Emergency Vehicle?

[zstyles]

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?

[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.

[zstyles]

Thanks for contributing nothing to this thread...anyone else....

[unknown]

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

[zstyles]

Where exactly in those two links does it answer anything?

[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


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.

[patric]

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:
"§63;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.

[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.

[RecycleMichael]

I gots to get me one of them wreckers.

[Michael71]

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.

[patric]

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.

[Wilbur]

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!

[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[)]

[waterboy]

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[)]

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? []

[Mike G]

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.