HOUSTON -- Twelve days into the controversial Safe Clear towing ordinance, Houston Mayor Bill White announced major changes to the program Wednesday in an effort to make the mandatory system more affordable.

Video

Councilman: Safe Clear 'Concept Was Little Short On Details'

The proposed changes are as follows.

Any motorist who stalls, breaks down or has a flat tire and is not in a moving lane of traffic will receive a free tow for up to one mile of the freeway.
If a motorist runs out of gas, he or she will receive a free tow to the nearest gas station.
A motorist who has a flat and a spare tire in good condition will receive a free tire change from the wrecker driver.

"The driver is not required to take advantage of the free option. The driver can, and I think many will decide that they want to pay $75 plus a mileage fee to take them back home, or to take them to the garage," White said.

But the basic rule of the service remained the same -- if a vehicle breaks down in a moving lane of traffic or a driver abandons a disabled vehicle, it will be towed for a minimum charge of $75.

"They will be required to get off the freeway. We're not going to let people turn the (freeway) shoulders into body shops," White said.

City Council member Michael Berry told Local 2 that City Council was forced to go back to the drawing board in response to a firestorm of public controversy.

"We tried some things that may not have worked as well as we would have liked. But, we are not too proud to admit that we are going to make some changes to make it perfect," Berry said.

TOWING RULES HPD Answers Questions About Towing Policy Safe Clear Program Motorists' Bill Of Rights AAA Answers Member Questions Agree With Towing Program? Has Safe Clear Helped Relieve Congestion? Are Changes Enough? How Do You Feel About New Wrecker Policy? Safe Clear Article Archive ROAD CONDITIONS Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map Traffic Section Texas Dept. of Transportation or call (800) 452-9292. Houston Transtar Gas Price Calculator

The council member said the only issue that was not compromised under the new plan was safety on the freeways.

During Tuesday's city council meeting, dozens of Houston drivers and tow-truck operators voiced their concerns on the controversial program.

"It is not fair to the minorities. It's not fair to the poor people of this city who cannot afford that. Shame on you for doing what you're doing," Houston driver William Morris said.

City leaders said the goal is to make Houston highways safer by clearing stalled cars that pose a hazard; however, the program's $75 initial fee has drivers frustrated.

"One question, I guess I have before anything else, is your life worth $75. You know, I think mine is," Houston driver Roy Leck said.

White has maintained that the policy is needed to reduce traffic congestion created by stalled cars and crashes and reduce the potential for secondary wrecks on Houston's busy and overly congested freeways.

"Let's be very clear. We have heard the call for change. We understand people are unhappy. We still believe it is a great concept that was a little short on details," Berry said.

Eleven companies that have city towing contracts are required to respond to disabled vehicles within six minutes and promptly get them off the highway once authorized by a police officer at Houston TranStar, the region's traffic-control center.

Drivers are able to say where their cars should be taken, within 30 miles. They'll be charged $75 for the first five miles and $1.50 per mile thereafter.

Members of auto clubs offering roadside assistance are no longer allowed to wait for that service to show up. They will be towed by the city contractor and will be reimbursed later.

Tow truck company owners said they applaud the changes.

"We want the public to feel safe when the tow truck driver approaches them and know that is someone that is there to indeed help them," said Geannette Rash, president of Fast Tow.

In order to make the changes, the city had to renegotiate its contract with the wrecker companies.

Houston City Council will vote on the proposed changes to the Safe Clear program next week. The original program will apply until it is approved.

Drivers who have already been towed will not receive a refund if the changes are approved.

The Safe Clear program took effect Jan. 1.

More Information:

HPD Answers Questions About Towing Policy

Previous Stories:

• January 10, 2005: HPD, Towing Companies Meet Over New Law
• January 7, 2005: Mayor Makes Changes To City's Towing Law
• January 6, 2005: Mayor, HPD Chief Evaluate Safe Clear Program From Air
• January 5, 2005: State Senator Calls For Moratorium On New Wrecker Law
• January 5, 2005: White To Ride With Wrecker
• January 4, 2005: Hundreds Of Vehicles Towed In New Program
• November 24, 2004: Drivers To Follow New Rules For Towing