Increases, from 8,600 pounds to 10,000, the gross vehicle weight rating of vehicles engaged in commercial towing that must be registered as tow trucks

BILL NUMBER:S5823A

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the registered weight of tow trucks

Purpose or general idea of bill

To increase the minimum weight of a tow truck from 8,600 pounds GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) to 10,000 pounds GVWR

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Amends section 401-b of the vehicle and traffic law to increase the minimum GVWR of a tow truck from 8,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds.

Section 2. This act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.

Justification

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of a vehicle is the manufacturer's design capacity for the weight of a vehicle and its heaviest load. It is unsafe to tow motor vehicles with a tow truck that has a GVWR less than 10,000 pounds because the weight of most towed vehicles will cause the front axle weight of the tow truck to be reduced by more than fifty percent. Such a reduction in weight will compromise the braking and steering capacity of the tow truck.

Although most light duty tow trucks have a GVWR of between 13,000 and 15,000 pounds, this bill recognizes that there are circumstances in which a lighter tow truck may be utilized in a safe manner. The intent of the bill is to outlaw a large number of so-called "chase trucks", which are light duty pick-up trucks with hidden towing booms that race to accident scenes. These trucks are built for speed- not safety. They present serious hazards the motoring public and pedestrians, particularly in many sections of New York City.

Legislative history

This bill is new legislation.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.