Mayor: Free tows to be offered in Safe Clear program

06:45 PM CST on Wednesday, January 12, 2005

By Doug Miller / 11 News

Click to watch video

HOUSTON -- After twelve days of towing, twelve days of trouble and twelve days of complaining, Houston's controversial freeway towing policy has been dragged in for an overhaul.

KHOU

Drivers will have more choices under the latest changes in the Safe Clear program.

Bowing to pressure from an angry public, Mayor Bill White held an afternoon news conference to announce that free tows will now be offered in the city's Safe Clear program.

That change will address one of the most widely-criticized aspects of the program -- what to do about drivers who can't afford the $75 tow fee.

Now those drivers, and anyone else who doesn't want to pay $75, will have a choice. They can be towed within a mile of the nearest freeway exit free of charge, then be on their own to take care of the vehicle's problem themselves.

Other changes include:

•Tow truck drivers will change a flat tire free of charge if the driver has a good spare tire

•If the driver runs out of gas, the wrecker will tow them to the nearest gas station, even if it's further than a mile.

Tow companies will collect $50 from the City of Houston for each for these short tows. That will cost taxpayers around $300,000 a year.

"That is the best money we will spend on public safety and transportation in my administration, in terms of cost effectiveness," said Mayor White.

Other drivers who don't mind paying the $75 can still have their car towed within 10 miles of the breakdown site.

Vehicles that are in the lane of traffic or abandoned will be still be towed immediately. If the police come to investigate -- for an accident or an arrest -- the tow will still cost you up to $124.

"We have listened to the citizens of Houston. We have listened to suggestions," said Lt. Laurie Bender with HPD.

Before the changes take affect, the mayor will have to drive his newly revised towing plan through city council.