BILL NUMBER: S4297

SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the regis-
tered 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 manufactur-
er'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 pickup 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:

2020: S.460 - Referred to Transportation / No Same as

2019: S.460 - Referred to Transportation / No Same as

2018: S.5260 -Referred to Transportation /A.3347-Referred to Transporta-
tion

2017: S.5260 - Referred to Transportation /A.3347-Referred to Transpor-
tation

2016: S.5823-A -3rd Reading Calendar/A.7272 - Referred to Transportation

2015: S.5823-A - Referred to Transportation/A.7272 - Referred to Trans-
portation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after enactment