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Committee Approves Bill To End Safe Clear Towing Law

Senate To Vote On Measure Next Week

POSTED: Thursday, February 10, 2005

HOUSTON -- Lawmakers in Austin are one step closer to putting the brakes on the city of Houston's controversial Safe Clear towing ordinance, Local 2 reported Thursday.

A senate committee approved State Sen. John Whitmire's bill that prevents Texas cities from requiring vehicle tows with the owner's consent.

The Safe Clear city ordinance requires licensed tow-truck operators to remove disabled vehicles from Houston's freeway within six minutes.

Motorists are no longer allowed to change flat tires on freeway shoulders, leave vehicles to get fuel or call their own help. Towing companies who have contracts with the city charge $75 for the first five miles for disabled vehicles and $1.50 for each additional mile. The tow cannot exceed $124.

Drivers with flat tires, empty gas tanks and easy-to-fix problems not in main lanes of traffic are eligible for a free tow up to one mile, after council approved a change to the plan last week.

Mayor Bill White said the plan keeps drivers safe, but critics believe the program puts a costly burden on some drivers.

The bill will be presented to the full Senate early next week.

Previous Stories:

February 8, 2005: Mayor Responds To Safe Clear Drivers' Criminal Records
February 8, 2005: One-Third Of Safe Clear Drivers Have Criminal Record
February 3, 2005: Senator Seeks To End Non-Consent Tows In Houston
February 2, 2005: Free Tows Get Green Light For Safe Clear
February 1, 2005: Man's Death May Be First Safe Clear Fatality
January 25, 2005: Background Checks Find Tow Truck Drivers With Criminal Records
January 24, 2005: Mayor Defends Towing Program In State Of City Address
January 19, 2005: Council Delays Vote On Changes To Towing Ordinance
January 18, 2005: City Council Hears Drivers' Towing Concerns
January 13, 2005: Council Member Asks For Moratorium On Towing Ordinance
January 12, 2005: Mayor Overhauls Towing Ordinance
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

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Committee Approves Bill To End Safe Clear Towing Law

Senate To Vote On Measure Next Week

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