[Amended 2-4-2003 by L.L. No. 2-2003]
It is hereby declared and found that it is of vital importance to the
traveling public that disabled vehicles are removed from the streets as promptly
as possible; that any delay in such removal may result in retarding the movement
of traffic unnecessarily and may cause street accidents; that the towing of
motor vehicles from public and private property within the Village is a matter
affecting the public interest and, consequently, should be subject to supervision
and administrative control for the purpose of safeguarding the public against
fraud and the imposition of exorbitant towing charges or any similar abuse;
and that it is in the best interests of the Village to have such supervision
and administrative control centralized and uniformly administered within the
Town of North Hempstead by the Town of North Hempstead.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, for the purposes of this chapter,
the following words shall have the meanings herein indicated:
DRIVER
Any person driving a tow truck for hire within the Village.
OPERATE
The control and direction of the use of a vehicle for towing to,
from or through places within the Village.
OWNER
A person owning, leasing or controlling one or more tow trucks or
driving, operating or causing any such vehicle to be operated for hire within
the Village.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, corporation, association or other entity.
SOLICIT
To entreat, to approach with a request or plea, to strongly urge,
to accost or to try to obtain by asking.
TOWING
The moving or removing of a disabled or abandoned motor vehicle by
another vehicle for hire.
TOWING TRUCK or TOW TRUCK
A vehicle which either is towing or is equipped with a crane, winch
or similar device designed to raise, remove, push, pull or carry a motor vehicle
or the front or rear end thereof. For the purposes of this definition, the
following shall not be considered a "tow truck":
A.
A vehicle owned or operated by a governmental agency.
B.
A vehicle being used exclusively for towing motor vehicles which are
owned, leased or operated by the owner or lessee of the towing vehicle or
by a person affiliated with the owner or lessee of the towing vehicle and
which towing vehicle has legibly inscribed on each of its sides, in letters
no less than three inches high, the legend "Not for Public Hire."
TOWN
The Town of North Hempstead.