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.
Copyright 2005 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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
Copyright 2005 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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