HOUSTON – Mayor Annise Parker on Thursday announced major changes to the towing program known as Safe Clear

HOUSTON – Mayor Annise Parker on Thursday announced major changes to the towing program known as Safe Clear.


The free towing program started in 2005 and was highly touted by former Mayor Bill White as a way to ease the city’s freeway congestion.

But Parker wants to shift the cost of the service from the taxpayers to the drivers.

Under her plan, it will cost $50 for a tow and $30 for a roadside service, like a tire change.

Drivers who can’t pay up will have their vehicles placed in a safe and secure facility for up to 48 hours, free of charge.

The city has set aside $100,000 to help drivers who are seniors, disabled or with incomes below the poverty line cover the cost of the towing fee if they’re unable to pay.

It’s a move some say will benefit the cash-strapped city.

"In a bad economy, loss of revenues, the real question is who’s responsible for putting a vehicle on the road?" asked 11 News Political Expert Bob Stein. "It strikes me the city’s not responsible for that, the driver is. What I suspect they’re looking to do is to shift that responsibility to the owner and driver of the vehicle."

Rice University studies have shown Safe Clear has succeeded in decreasing collisions and traffic – but the tows have added up and the program was $1.5 million over budget during the 2010 fiscal year.

"I’ve advocated for a long time that we terminate the program because we cannot afford it as a city and I think that drivers have an inherent responsibility to be responsible for their vehicle," said Councilman Mike Sullivan.

The new fee still has to be approved by the city council.