Post by Clipper on Aug 1, 2014 12:33:33 GMT -5
Rome man wants law changed after riding in a vehicle being towed
By WKTV News
Story Created: Jul 31, 2014 at 6:25 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 31, 2014 at 6:25 PM EDT
ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - Chris Jones of Rome says he, his wife, their daughter, a family friend and his daughter were all on their way back from a three day camping trip at Darien Lake near Rochester Saturday night when his wife was pulled over for speeding.
Jones says his wife who was driving, was not only ticketed for speeding, but also ticketed for not having car insurance. He says she had paid to have the insurance reinstated, and actually had the receipt of payment in the vehicle, but for some reason he says the system showed the insurance was still suspended.
Jones says the trooper then took the plates off of their vehicle and called to have a tow truck remove the vehicle from the Thruway. He says he couldn't believe what happened next, "We got out of the car when the flatbed was raised up and the State Trooper told us to get back in the vehicle, and they loaded us right up on the truck."
Jones says he and his four passengers were told to get into the now plateless vehicle and go for a ride in it on the back of the flatbed to get them off the Thruway as well.
Jones thought this was illegal, but it's not, "If it was me, I would be charged with endangering the welfare of a child and I think this cop should be fully charged and suspended and until the investigation is over."
Trooper Jason Jones, the Public Information Officer for Troop T which covers the New York State Thruway, told News Channel 2 Thursday afternoon that it is legal to ride in a vehicle being towed.
Trooper Jones says he couldn't comment on this particular case but did say, "There is no violation whatsoever. Each case is different, and a determination has to be made at the scene. Our interest is in personal safety and quick clearance. There are cars going at a high rate of speed and our main goal is to clear the area as quickly as possible."
Chris Jones says the ride was bumpy and dangerous. He says his daughter, age 9, and his friend's daughter, age 8 were both really scared the entire ride. Jones says he even called 911 to report what the State Police had done.
Jones says he was referred to the New York State Thruway Authority, who also told him it is legal to do.
Jones says he hopes legislators take a look at this story and come up with a law banning riding inside of a vehicle being towed, before someone is killed and then a law is named after that person.
Read more: www.wktv.com/news/local/Rome-man-wants-law-changed-after-riding-in-a-vehicle-being-towed-269457461.html#ixzz39A4u2vT3
While not a desirable way to exit the Thruway, I would suppose it is necessary to do it that way. A person without insurance for whatever reason is a liability to all he encounters on the highway. The trooper was simply following the NYS law in removing the plates and having the vehicle towed. The tow truck probably didn't have room in it's cab for the entire family, and the trooper can't leave them standing along side of the interstate. I see nothing dangerous in riding in the car on top of the flatbed as long as the car is properly secured. Normally a car is held from rolling backward by the winch cable as well as a safety chain in the front of the vehicle, and chained in the rear to avoid rolling forward.
I would say that the man's bitch is with the insurance company if the money was actually paid to reactivate coverage. I would assume that the trooper has no choice other than to believe the computer systems status unless someone can confirm the fact that the insurance has been paid for and is in effect.
Tennessee should be so vigilant in handling uninsured drivers. Here an uninsured driver is simply written a citation to be answered in court. I have been told that a person can obtain insurance coverage in order to register a car, then cancel or let the policy lapse, and the state is not even notified of the cancellation as is the case in NY. Our plates are renewed for 5 yrs, so they can drive uninsured for 5 yrs before they will be forced to obtain coverage in order to renew that plates. The odds of being hit by an uninsured motorist here is quite high. While it may seem crass to say it, when I see an old beat up car, I almost assume that if they can't afford a better vehicle, they probably can't afford insurance and are probably simply rolling the dice that they won't have an accident. Many folks simply don't even bother obtaining the minimum liability insurance if they can get by without it.
If I remember correctly, NY State law dictates that the plates are suspended for the number of days that the vehicle was uninsured. If you let it lapse and don't reinstate it for a month, when you have the plates taken by the State Police, you will have 30 days before you can re-register the car and receive new plates. Correct me if I am wrong. I haven't lived there for the last 12 years.
By WKTV News
Story Created: Jul 31, 2014 at 6:25 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 31, 2014 at 6:25 PM EDT
ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - Chris Jones of Rome says he, his wife, their daughter, a family friend and his daughter were all on their way back from a three day camping trip at Darien Lake near Rochester Saturday night when his wife was pulled over for speeding.
Jones says his wife who was driving, was not only ticketed for speeding, but also ticketed for not having car insurance. He says she had paid to have the insurance reinstated, and actually had the receipt of payment in the vehicle, but for some reason he says the system showed the insurance was still suspended.
Jones says the trooper then took the plates off of their vehicle and called to have a tow truck remove the vehicle from the Thruway. He says he couldn't believe what happened next, "We got out of the car when the flatbed was raised up and the State Trooper told us to get back in the vehicle, and they loaded us right up on the truck."
Jones says he and his four passengers were told to get into the now plateless vehicle and go for a ride in it on the back of the flatbed to get them off the Thruway as well.
Jones thought this was illegal, but it's not, "If it was me, I would be charged with endangering the welfare of a child and I think this cop should be fully charged and suspended and until the investigation is over."
Trooper Jason Jones, the Public Information Officer for Troop T which covers the New York State Thruway, told News Channel 2 Thursday afternoon that it is legal to ride in a vehicle being towed.
Trooper Jones says he couldn't comment on this particular case but did say, "There is no violation whatsoever. Each case is different, and a determination has to be made at the scene. Our interest is in personal safety and quick clearance. There are cars going at a high rate of speed and our main goal is to clear the area as quickly as possible."
Chris Jones says the ride was bumpy and dangerous. He says his daughter, age 9, and his friend's daughter, age 8 were both really scared the entire ride. Jones says he even called 911 to report what the State Police had done.
Jones says he was referred to the New York State Thruway Authority, who also told him it is legal to do.
Jones says he hopes legislators take a look at this story and come up with a law banning riding inside of a vehicle being towed, before someone is killed and then a law is named after that person.
Read more: www.wktv.com/news/local/Rome-man-wants-law-changed-after-riding-in-a-vehicle-being-towed-269457461.html#ixzz39A4u2vT3
While not a desirable way to exit the Thruway, I would suppose it is necessary to do it that way. A person without insurance for whatever reason is a liability to all he encounters on the highway. The trooper was simply following the NYS law in removing the plates and having the vehicle towed. The tow truck probably didn't have room in it's cab for the entire family, and the trooper can't leave them standing along side of the interstate. I see nothing dangerous in riding in the car on top of the flatbed as long as the car is properly secured. Normally a car is held from rolling backward by the winch cable as well as a safety chain in the front of the vehicle, and chained in the rear to avoid rolling forward.
I would say that the man's bitch is with the insurance company if the money was actually paid to reactivate coverage. I would assume that the trooper has no choice other than to believe the computer systems status unless someone can confirm the fact that the insurance has been paid for and is in effect.
Tennessee should be so vigilant in handling uninsured drivers. Here an uninsured driver is simply written a citation to be answered in court. I have been told that a person can obtain insurance coverage in order to register a car, then cancel or let the policy lapse, and the state is not even notified of the cancellation as is the case in NY. Our plates are renewed for 5 yrs, so they can drive uninsured for 5 yrs before they will be forced to obtain coverage in order to renew that plates. The odds of being hit by an uninsured motorist here is quite high. While it may seem crass to say it, when I see an old beat up car, I almost assume that if they can't afford a better vehicle, they probably can't afford insurance and are probably simply rolling the dice that they won't have an accident. Many folks simply don't even bother obtaining the minimum liability insurance if they can get by without it.
If I remember correctly, NY State law dictates that the plates are suspended for the number of days that the vehicle was uninsured. If you let it lapse and don't reinstate it for a month, when you have the plates taken by the State Police, you will have 30 days before you can re-register the car and receive new plates. Correct me if I am wrong. I haven't lived there for the last 12 years.
