HOUSTON -- Two months after the city implemented a controversial towing program, Houston's mayor said Tuesday that he is extremely pleased and stunned by the program's success, Local 2 reported. But some of his critics said it is too early to tell if the plan is a success.

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Statistics Show 12.2 Percent Decrease In Freeway Accidents

"The Safe Clear program is working to reduce accidents and save lives," Mayor Bill White said.

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White called the controversial Safe Clear program a success Tuesday. After only two months, statistics show that 2005 freeway accidents are down by 12.2 percent over the same period in 2003 and 2004.

"When we look at all the busiest freeway segments, consistently we've seen declines in the accident rates," White said.

In addition, the mayor and other supporters of the Safe Clear program said response times are down for wrecker drivers, meaning tow trucks are getting to the scene of the accidents faster than six minutes and clearing disabled vehicles before congestion becomes a problem.

"I think all of Houston should be extremely proud or the results of the efforts (taken to improve Houston traffic)," Houston Police Department Chief Harold Hurtt said.

HPD Capt. Lori Bender said officers and wrecker drivers are clearing more than half of the accident scenes in less than 10 minutes.

But not everyone agrees that Safe Clear is a success. Wrecker companies that are not part of the program and at least one city council member question the cost and benefits to the city.

"We just need to have the whole picture before us, before we can get real answers. I really think this is half of the picture," Houston City Council member Shelley Sekula Gibbs said.

The mayor said he is convinced that the statistics released Tuesday show the entire picture, but also said that Safe Clear is still a work in progress.