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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 02 - Towing Uninsured Vehicles Ce ^` 6 !T'EM # Z.-- MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER Sig- MEETING DATE: MAY 5, 2009 SUBJECT: WORKSHOP—TOWING UNINSURED VEHICLES In the summer of 2006, Mayor Pro Tern Wilbanks requested that the Police Department investigate the feasibility of implementing a policy of towing the vehicles of uninsured motorists. At the time there was concern about implementing such a policy because Municipal Court records showed that over 80% of citations issued for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility were dismissed, mostly because the drivers presented the Court with the required proof. This means that those drivers would have had their vehicles towed when they did have the required insurance coverage, but did not have valid proof with them. Although their citations were dismissed, they would still have been required to pay for the towing of their cars. There was no method in place for officers to check the insurance status of a car; however, the Texas Department of Public Safety had been charged by the Texas Legislature to create such a system. It was agreed that we would wait until the creation and implementation of that system before we would consider such a policy. After several delays, the Texas Sure verification system was finally implemented in the fall of 2008. With that system in place the Police Department will present options for the Council to consider as it relates to uninsured motorists operating on Grapevine streets. BR/pk