Kenneth Brown
Captain
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2003
- Messages
- 3,481
HOUSTON -- Starting New Year's Day, stranded freeway motorists better get out the way because the tow truck is coming, whether they want it or not.<br /><br />Mayor Bill White's traffic-management plan declares all freeways are tow-away zones and the city has signed contracts with wrecker companies to patrol 29 freeway sections and immediately remove any stalled or wrecked cars. The program expands a pilot project that's been in place on the Katy Freeway since March. <br /><br />White said the policy will reduce traffic congestion created by stalled cars and crashes and is expected to reduce the potential for secondary wrecks.<br /><br />"Studies have shown that our freeways are much safer if we can get stalled and wrecked vehicles towed out of the way faster," White said during a news conference last week. "We think this will be a model for the country."<br /><br />Workers are installing 72 signs warning: "Disabled Vehicles Will Be Towed -- It's the Law."<br /><br />Councilman Michael Berry, chairman of the transportation committee, said motorists would notice an improvement in commute times.<br /><br />"The public told us they did not want to be stranded on a freeway that became a parking lot because one car ran out of gas or blew a tire," Berry said. "What a difference this is going to make in the day-to-day lives of our residents."<br /><br />Other city officials said the program would ease traffic congestion.<br /><br />Current city rules say a stalled vehicle may not be towed until a police officer arrives at the scene and requests a wrecker. Dealing with broken-down cars had not been a police priority and cars often sat for hours before being moved.<br /><br />"You will see a tremendous difference in the flow of traffic starting in January," said Joe Breshears, director of the Mayor's Office of Mobility.<br /><br />As part of the program, motorists no longer will be allowed to change a flat tire on the freeway shoulder, walk to the nearest gas station to obtain additional fuel or call their own help. The 11 companies that have the new city towing contracts are required to respond to all 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.<br /><br />Drivers will be 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.<br /><br />Members of auto clubs offering roadside assistance will no longer be allowed to wait for that service to show up. They will be towed by the city contractor and can get reimbursed later.<br /><br />AAA Texas will reimburse members for any police-ordered towing, said Anne O'Ryan, AAA Texas public and government affairs manager.<br /><br />AAA is talking with the city and its contract wreckers about setting up direct billing AAA members won't have to pay the bill as they're towed, but that issue won't be resolved by Saturday, O'Ryan said. <br /><br /><br />OK- My turn. If I have a flat I should be able to change it. If I am in a one lane road and I am right in the middle where no traffic can pass then by all means tow me. If I'm in a 4 lane and I am blocking one of the lanes with unfixable problems then go ahead and tow me. Allow people a chance.
<br /><br /><br />i think its a great idea, for the councilman that is getting a kickback from his brothers towing company.
