HOUSTON -- A Houston City Council member asked for a moratorium Thursday on the Safe Clear towing ordinance in order to give city officials time to pass and implement proposed changes, Local 2 reported.

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Houston Mayor Bill White announced major changes to the program Wednesday in an effort to make the mandatory system more affordable.

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.

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.

Council Member Carol Mims-Galloway sent White a memo asking for the moratorium.

"I wanted a moratorium because I didn't want any of the wrecker drivers to be charging the public for towing until we amend it," she said.

Video

Current Towing Ordinance Remains Until Vote Taken

But White said he could not issue a moratorium due to legal issues.

"We can't change the system in violation of city ordinances," he said.

In the meantime, the mayor asked wrecker companies to work with drivers who break down on the freeway.

"We're definitely going to be real sensitive to that. If the people cannot pay the $75, I’m asking them to bring the car here," said Jeanette Rash, president of Fast Tow.

Arlene Cuellar felt caught in the middle Wednesday when her disabled vehicle was towed from the South Loop and she had to shell out the fee. Under the current plan, she had to pay $78 -- $75 for the mandatory fee and $3 for extra mileage.

"I just don't think it's fair because I'm a single mother and really can't afford it. But what choice do you have?" Cuellar said.

Under the changes Houston City Council is expected to pass next week, Cuellar would have qualified for a free tow up to one mile.

"I saw on the news last night where it said they were going to try and do it up to a mile free and then you try to get your car fixed from there. But I asked (the wrecker driver) and he said, 'No, it's in the making but they're working on it,'" Cuellar said.

City leaders said the goal is to make Houston highways safer by clearing stalled cars that pose a hazard.

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.

The Safe Clear program took effect Jan. 1.

More Information:

HPD Answers Questions About Towing Policy

Previous Stories:

• 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