Sec.29-23a-9. Responsibilities of wrecker operators

(a) All wrecker operators shall meet the response times set forth in Section 29-23a-5. The wrecker operator receiving the call for service shall perform the required service. The call for service may not be delegated to another wrecker operator.

(b) Wrecker operators shall promptly and efficiently remove from the roadway designated vehicles, associated debris and spills of fluids used in vehicle operations, such as gasoline, oil or antifreeze. Vehicles shall be removed to the wrecker operator's place of business, an alternate storage location approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, a location requested by the vehicle owner or operator, or a facility under state police control in furtherance of a criminal investigation. Debris shall be removed to the wrecker operator's place of business, unless directed otherwise by state police, or employees of the Connecticut Departments of Environmental Protection or Transportation.

(c) The wrecker operator shall follow the directives of the trooper or fire officer at the scene and obtain the approval of the trooper at the scene prior to departing from the scene of the call for service. The trooper at the scene shall confirm that the roadway has been substantially cleared of all debris prior to releasing the wrecker operator from the scene.

(d) The wrecker operator shall be responsible for safe removal of the vehicle, its contents and occupants, except where an occupant cannot be legally transported, an arrest has been made or where other arrangements have been made for transportation of occupants. Where the wrecker operator cannot transport all vehicle occupants because of occupancy limitations in the wrecker, the trooper at the scene may assist in providing transportation. Where the trooper at the scene cannot assist in providing transportation, the state police troop supervisor on duty or his or her designee shall make such arrangements as are necessary to safely remove vehicle occupants from the roadway. In order to minimize the likelihood that the wrecker operator cannot transport vehicle occupants because of occupancy limitations, the wrecker operator shall not respond with passengers to a call for service.

(e) The wrecker operator shall provide the troop with a telephone number allowing contact on a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week basis. No more than one such number each for normal duty hours and other than normal duty hours shall be accepted by the troop.

(f) A wrecker operator shall notify the appropriate troop before responding to a request for service not transmitted by state police, if such call causes the wrecker operator to perform the service on a road under state police jurisdiction.

(g) A wrecker operator shall notify the troop whenever a vehicle is removed from the highway pursuant to a rotational call for service, if there is no trooper at the scene at the time the vehicle is to be removed from the highway.

(h) In addition to the equipment required by section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a light-duty service wrecker operator responding to a scene shall be equipped with communications equipment, such as a two-way radio or wireless telephone, a second rear spot light, three triangle reflectors and shovels, brooms and any other equipment necessary to clear the roadway of debris.

(i) In addition to the equipment required by section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a heavy-duty service wrecker operator responding to a call for service shall be equipped with communications equipment, such as a two-way radio or wireless telephone, a second rear spot light, a total of 10 flares, 10 triangle reflectors, two shovels (one round, one square), one heavy-duty push broom, two pry bars, one bolt cutter, 10 large T-bolts and shut off fittings for buses. Heavy-duty service wrecker operators shall also be capable of providing air to the towed vehicle to facilitate brake system operation.

(j) In addition to the equipment required by section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator shall have available communications equipment, such as a two-way radio or wireless telephone, and 12 support items or services as follows:

(1) air cushions;

(2) rotator/crane;

(3) low-bed trailer;

(4) box trailer (with dock plate or pallet jack);

(5) forklift or bobcat;

(6) payloader or backhoe;

(7) service truck (complete with air compressor, generator and auxiliary tools);

(8) generator and portable lighting system;

(9) dump truck or roll-off container dumpster;

(10) tractor;

(11) dolly converter; and

(12) four laborers.

(k) of the first 11 support items referenced in subsection (j) of this section, at least six shall be provided directly by the heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator. The remainder may be provided by another business entity, pursuant to written agreement between the heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator and such business entity, provided that the items or services shall be available to the heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. The heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator shall have available at all times the identity, address of principal place of business and telephone numbers of the business entity providing the support items or services. The requirement of four laborers shall be provided by the heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator, not by another business entity. A heavy-duty recovery service wrecker operator with multiple business locations need not separately provide support items for each location, provided that the same person, firm or corporation holds the license issued pursuant to section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes for each location.

(l) Vehicle storage facilities shall be used and maintained in accordance with section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Sections 14-63-34 to 14-63-37b, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(m) A heavy-duty-recovery service wrecker operator shall participate in the fuel saddle tank recovery project of the state Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection.

(Adopted effective April 30, 1999; Amended December 18, 2003)