Under the program, 11 towing companies have contracts with the city 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.

The tow truck ordinance divides Houston into 29 freeway sections. One truck is responsible for removing vehicles in each area.

Motorists no longer will be allowed to change flat tires on the freeway shoulder, leave vehicles to get fuel or call their own help.

Yes, Houston does have a traffic problem. Yes, Houston does need to address the problem and seek solutions. Is this new program a solution? Absolutely not. . Are stalled cars on the shoulder of highways the root of our traffic problems? Hardly.

The SAFEclear program auctioned off all of Houston highways in sections to various tow truck companies. In addition to the half million dollars raised by the auction, the city also receives $10 for every tow. Is this program lining pockets.....or clearing traffic obstructions?

The fee for the mandatory towing is $75. The stranded driver must have a credit card or cash on hand for the fee. Mayor White assured Houstonians that the fee will be reimbursed by insurance agencies (assuming the driver has a roadside assistance policy). If the fee cannot be immediately rendered, the tow truck will take the car to an impound, where the fee then includes an extra $124.

So, here is a scenario. My 16 year old daughter (if I had one) has a flat tire on the side of the road. She has decisions to make. She can try to change the tire in six minutes. She can call her father for help, hoping he can arrive and change the tire within six minutes. After six minutes, she will be approached by a tow truck driver (who are usually society's highest caliber citizens) and have to fork over $75. God help her if she doesn't have the money or a credit card on hand.

Does anyone else think the Houston City Council has lost their mind? This seems to be a serious infringement on Houstonian rights. I seriously wonder if this legislation will hold up under judicious scrutiny