Houston DU'ers - Safe Tow Question

[Not_Giving_Up]

I realize that the program changes daily, but I've been wondering about this.

I have free towing through my car insurance. If I break down, I call my insurance company, and they send me a tow truck. If their tow truck doesn't get there before the Safe Tow one, can I tell the Safe Tow driver that I already have a truck coming, and to get lost?

[Longhorn]

1. I was in Houston last weekend and heard about that program on the news.

I thought I heard that the free tow is only up to a mile. Maybe you would have the Safe Tow people tow you to a nearby location to clear the highway quickly and then have your insurance company tow take you to the mechanic or wherever you need the car to do. :shrug:

[Not_Giving_Up]

5. The thing is, it changes almost daily

I am so friggin confused. What WAS Bill White thinking??????

[Longhorn]

7. I thought it was supposed to be a free tow!

Where did I get that idea? I thought the city was going to pay because it would actually save money in the long run if traffic moves more freely.

I know, I should have my head examined to think that anything like that would be free!

[Not_Giving_Up]

14. That depends on which day you ask the question

Originally, it was $75 period. Then they realized that not everyone has that kind of money on them. So, the debate began...It's been changed so many times, it's just unreal. Now it's a sometimes you pay a lot, sometimes you pay a little, sometimes you don't pay at all kind of thing. I am so confused.

[Wwagsthedog]

2. If anyone can figure out what the Houston "Safe - Clear" program is...

all about, please let anyone in an old vehicle know.

[PDittie]

3. I'm pretty certain today's answer is

no, you can't.

The tow truck drivers (there is no ranker scum blighting the Earth) have instructions (read: $$$ incentives from the city) to clear disabled vehicles in six minutes.

They will also summon HPD to explain the law to those who object.

Lots of us have roadside assistance (through the auto manufacturer as part of your warranty, as part of your cellular plan, AAA, etc.). None of those services are designed to assist within the time frame SAFEClear is structured to operate.

I can't believe Bill White screwed this up so bad. It reeks of corruption top to bottom.

[Not_Giving_Up]

4. That's what I was afraid of

Good thing I have a new car ('04), and am not really worried about breaking down. The only thing I worry about is a flat, which I know I wouldn't be able to change myself.

[muse]

6. AAA will

come and get your car from the place where it was towed, but it counts as one of your road calls and you only get so many per year. So, you pay for Safe Clear to haul you away, you call AAA and they tow you to a where you want to get your car serviced (or do roadside service on the spot such as change your tire.)

[Longhorn]

8. Here's a link to what AAA says on the subject:

http://www.aaa-texas.com/MEMBERS/HOUSTONSAFE.ASP

[merci_me]

9. Lots of luck with AAA

Right AND FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF HOURS now my husband and grandson are sitting at the side of the 59/762 interchange at Rosenberg with a flat.


He changed the damaged tire, but the spare gave out in about 30 ft. He called AAA and asked for a TOW truck. They said 45 minutes. So they show up with a friggin air pump, but no tow truck. So the guy says they'll send a tow truck in 15 minutes. That was an hour ago.


He's there with my grandson who he took to a Boy Scout event at noon and his jacket is just a hoodie. I think my husband is in just jeans and a sweatshirt. It's now dark and I imagine the wind is whipping and AAA is no where in sight.


Right now we are arguing on the phone, he says when they finally get there, he'll have them tow him to Rosenberg to get the tire fixed. I say, the hell with them, let them tow him back in to Houston, to home!!

Mary

[WestHoustonDem]

10. Mary - That's awful!

If you need me to go pick them up for you, let me know.

Lyn

[merci_me]

11. Thank you so much Lyn,

But he just called about 3 minutes ago and the truck is there now hooking the car up.

He agreed to have them tow him home, so I'm about to head to the kitchen to fix some hot food.

Funny thing is, this morning he asked if I needed my car today, cause his is in the driveway with a damn flat!!! I told him, no to take my car. So I'm here with his car with another flat and one I can't really sit high enough to see out of.

Oh well, he and AAA are both damn lucky it wasn't me at the side of the road with Mando!

Mary

[WestHoustonDem]

12. That's good news Mary

AAA is sure lucky they didn't tangle with you!

[PDittie]

13. sorry to hear this

Don't hesitate to call your friends when you're in need.

I could been to Rosenberg in half an hour.

Don't hesitate.

[Longhorn]

15. The only time I ever had good luck with AAA was just outside of Plainview

and it was something like 3 a.m.! My kids and I were coming home from a five-week trip all over the country in the van and popup camper when I had a flat. This small, wirey old guy got there in about 30 minutes, hopped out and changed the tire in about ten minutes, and was on his way.

However, the day the van stalled because it hit 98 degrees in Austin in February a few years ago, no tow truck ever came. After awhile, we were able to restart it and drive it to the dealer. Turns out, it had to do with the "winter blend" of gasoline that stations were using due to the fact that it was WINTER! I guess vehicles were stalling all over town but that doesn't help when you're stranded.

I'm glad you've got your family home with you again, safe, fed, and warm, I hope! :D

[muse]

16. Ick. I've always had good luck with AAA.

Car trouble is NO fun. Especially when you get stuck on a road with your disabled car.

[slutticus]

17. From what I understand,

If you don't want to be towed all the way home or to a mechanic, the tow truck driver can just tow you to the nearest freeway exit. I know they will do this for free if you are financially unable to pay, but I think it's $75 otherwise.

If I ever break down on the freeway, I just plan on telling them that I can't pay, then when they tow me to the nearest exit, I will call my free tow service from there (I have sprint roadside-rescue).

on Edit: Crap...never mind...I just read the FAQ

Q: What if I can't pay?
A: Your vehicle will be towed to a police approved vehicle storage facility. Vehicles towed to such facilities accrue additional fees, depending on the length of time the vehicle is in storage. We understand concerns of people who may have trouble paying these fees and are evaluating how we might better address these concerns.

This is fucking bullshit.

[Not_Giving_Up]

18. Here's the link to the FAQ's

http://www.houstontx.gov/safeclear/index.html

If you refuse to have your car towed by SAFEClear, you can be arrested, nice!!

They will tow you off the freeway, within one mile, for free, and you can call your free service from there.

If they damage your vehicle in the tow, the city is not liable, only the tow truck company.

If you don't feel safe getting in the truck with the driver you can ask that a police officer come out to get you.

Aren't there better things for HPD to be doing?

I don't live in city limits, and I currently don't work there, but I might be soon. I'd like to know what Bill White was smoking when he devised this plan.

[Not_Giving_Up]

19. This is their idea of a Customer Bill of Rights

I'm posting them all, but here's the link
http://www.houstontranstar.org/safeclear/billofrights/

Disabled or wrecked vehicles constitute a threat to public safety and the efficient operation of our freeways. To reduce the threat to public safety, leaving a disabled vehicle on a freeway is not an option. If you are involved in a disablement, a SAFE CLEAR towing agent will remove your vehicle from the freeway. As the owner/operator of the vehicle your rights at the incident scene are protected as follows:
1. IF YOU ARE NOT PRESENT OR YOU DO NOT AGREE, THE TOWING AGENT WILL RECEIVE POLICE AUTHORIZATION TO TOW YOUR VEHICLE TO AN APPROVED VEHICLE STORAGE FACILITY. IN ORDER TO REDEEM YOUR VEHICLE YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF THE RELATED TOWING AND STORAGE FEES.

2. IF YOU ARE PRESENT AND AGREE, YOUR DISABLED VEHICLE SHALL BE TOWED TO A POLICE PRIVATE STORAGE LOT, OR A POSITION OFF THE PAVED OR MAIN TRAVELED PART OF THE HIGHWAY OR OTHER PLACE OF SAFETY, AS DIRECTED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

3. THE TOWING AGENT WILL PROVIDE AN ITEMIZED INVOICE/RECEIPT TO YOU. THE TOWING AGENT WILL LIST THE FEE CHARGED FOR THE REMOVAL OF YOUR VEHICLE FROM THE FREEWAY, OR OTHER REASONABLE SERVICES PROVIDED.

4. PAYMENT CAN BE MADE BY CASH, CHECK OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD (VISA-MC-AMEX-DISCOVER), OR AN AUTOMOBILE DEALER PURCHASE ORDER. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE PAYMENT, YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO AN APPROVED VEHICLE STORAGE FACILITY AND A DAILY STORAGE FEE WILL BE CHARGED AS SET BY CITY ORDINANCE.

5. IF YOUR CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING INJURY, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WILL BE DISPATCHED TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT. IF NO INJURY IS INVOLVED, YOU ARE ASKED TO REMOVE YOUR VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW 550.022. CAUTION: DO NOT SIGN ANY “AUTHORIZATION TO REPAIR” AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT.

Complaints May Be Forwarded To:

Houston Police Department
Auto Dealers Detail
713-308-ALOT


Is it just me? This doesn't really tell me what my rights are, just how they're going to bend me over!