HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 03 - Towing Uninsured Vehicles WS ITEM # 3
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER 12—
MEETING DATE: APRIL 21, 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