Sign of the times greets Safe Clear drivers

06:34 PM CST on Friday, January 28, 2005

By Doug Miller / 11 News

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HOUSTON -- For 25 years now, a family-owned business on the North Freeway has made signs. But of all the signs they've ever made, they've never made one advertising this. Atlas Signs has rolled out the welcome mat for stranded drivers towed off the freeway under the new Safe Clear program.

KHOU

A North Freeway sign company is offering a safe haven for drivers towed from the freeway.

"We're just trying to give them a safe place. They'll have four hours to fix their car. They don't have to worry about it getting towed or somebody messing with their car," said Chad Foreman, the Sign Store manager. "They can go get gas if they need gas. If they need to borrow a gas can, we'll let them borrow a gas can."

Houston's controversial new freeway towing plan requires wreckers to haul stranded motorists off the road and leave the both the vehicle and its occupants in a safe place.

Now a council member wants police to draw up a list of specific places where wrecker drivers can drop off stranded drivers.

"My goal is to make sure that the spots that they are left at have been cleared by the police as a place that's safe for an individual to be," said Gordon Quan, Houston City Councilmember. "That there's adequate lighting, that there's a telephone so they can call for help, preferably restrooms."

The councilman says he's already found about 350 spots that could be designated as what he calls "safe drop" locations.

It's an idea the people at this family-owned business can understand.

"You can't pick where your car's gonna break down. That's why it's called breaking down," said Foreman.

So it's good to know some places are safe on the side of the freeway.

Houston councilmembers are scheduled to vote next week on proposed changes to the Safe Clear program.