Unauthorized vehicles may be impounded by a registered tow truck operator (RTTO) at the direction of a law enforcement officer or other public official with jurisdiction if the vehicle is on public property, or at the direction of the property owner or an agent. A vehicle is deemed unauthorized if it is left unattended in certain public or private locations. A vehicle is immediately considered an unauthorized vehicle and subject to removal if it is:
An authorized RTA representative may direct an impound for an unauthorized vehicle in the right-of-way used by an RTA where the vehicle constitutes an obstruction to the operation of high capacity transportation vehicles or jeopardizes public safety.
A vehicle is considered an unauthorized vehicle and is subject to immediate removal by an RTTO if it is left unattended within a right-of-way used by an RTA for high capacity transportation where the vehicle obstructs the operation of a high capacity transportation system vehicle or jeopardizes public safety. An authorized representative of an RTA may request an impound for this type of unauthorized vehicle.
(In support) Communities rely on transit. Delays in transit service can seriously disrupt schedules. Vehicles on right-of-way cause delays. This bill lets an RTA directly contract to remove the vehicles and removes the intermediate step of contacting the police department, which reduces the burden on law enforcement. The bill does not affect any vehicle in what could be construed as a legal parking space. Law enforcement asked for this bill. The bill continues the authority Sound Transit received last session.
(Opposed) None.