[Ord. 594, 11/15/2017]
This Part is enacted to establish procedures involving the safe
and orderly towing of disabled, wrecked, abandoned or impounded motor
vehicles by the Northampton Township Police Department.
[Ord. 594, 11/15/2017]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings indicated below. When not inconsistent with
the context, words used in the present tense shall include the future,
and words used in the plural shall include the singular. The words
"shall" or "must" are mandatory and the word "may" is discretionary.
DISABLED, WRECKED, ABANDONED OR IMPOUNDED VEHICLE
An automobile, truck, tractor, trailer, motorcycle, motor home, or other vehicle or device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, road or street, which is no longer capable of safe operation on a highway, road or street and presents a safety hazard to the public by virtue of its location on or adjacent to a public highway, road or street in the Township, or which is subject to towing pursuant to "Removal and Impoundment of Illegally Parked Vehicles," §
15-801 et seq. of the Township Code.
FLATBED WRECKER
A flatbed vehicle equipped with a roll body and winch designed
for and capable of lifting and transporting passenger and commercial
vehicles.
HEAVY-DUTY WRECKER
A vehicle with a minimum twenty-five-ton capacity designed
for and capable of lifting and transporting larger passenger and commercial
vehicles.
LICENSEE
A person or tow operator who has been issued a license by
the Township pursuant to the terms of this chapter.
PERSON
An individual person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
TOW OPERATOR
A person or any other legal entity engaged in the business
of operating for hire the service of a vehicle, wrecker, tow truck,
car carrier, or other vehicle, whereby disabled, wrecked, abandoned
or impounded vehicles are towed or otherwise removed from the place
where they are disabled, wrecked, abandoned or impounded.
TOWNSHIP
Northampton Township, Bucks County.
VEHICLE CODE
The Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 75
Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
WRECKER
Any light-duty, heavy duty, wheel-lift, or flatbed wrecker.
[Ord. 594, 11/15/2017]
If any section, subsection, clause or provision of this chapter
shall be adjudged by the courts to be invalid, such adjudication shall
apply only to the section, paragraph, subsection, clause or provision
so adjudged and the remainder of this chapter shall be valid and enforceable.
[Ord. 594, 11/15/2017]
This chapter shall take effect upon final adoption, publication,
and as otherwise provided by law.