20-Code of Ordinances to allow the police department to ticket, tow, and impound any vehicle that is not covered under automoblie liability insurance

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING SHEET Submittal Date: Originating Departrnent: Presented By: Agenda Item No.: 06/03/201 l Council Date: Police Chief Hundley 20. 06/27/2011 RECOMMENDED MOTION: Not an action item. City Staff is seeking direetion on amendments to the Code of Ordinances to allow the Police Department to ticket, tow, and impound any vehicle that is not covered under automobile liability insurance. POLICY ISSUE(S): Impounding Vehicles where drivers cannot provide proof of insurance. BACKGROUND: All vehicles driven on roadways in Texas are required to have minimum coverage liability insurance. Many northeast Texas cities have adopted ordinances allowing the police department to impound vehicles stopped on traffic violations or involved in collisions in which the driver cannot provide proof of minimum insurance coverage. Officers have the ability to check vehicle registration by computer, TexSure, to see if insurance coverage exists. In the past 5 years, citation numbers have fluctuated, but are still sizable: FTMFR 2"d Offense Dismissed after showing FR Difference 2006 1036 173 502 707 2007 1499 196 806 889 2008 1265 121 682 704 2009 695 89 325 459 2010 701 82 269 514 Before impounding a vehicle, stopped on a traffic violation or after being involved in a collision and the operator claims to have financial responsibility but fails to show the required proof of coverage, the officer will make reasonable efforts to determine if the vehicle is covered. Steps to verify coverage may include but are not limited to: a. Contacting the driver's insurance company b. Contacting the driver's insurance agent. c. Contacting a parent or guardian if dealing with a minor. d. Contacting the lien holder. e. Checking through TexSure database. If the officer has any doubts that the vehicle is tru.ly insured, he has the option of not impounding the vehicle. If it is 2 AM, the operator does not have proof with him, doesn't know how to get in contact with the registered owner and has no proof of insurance and the TexSure database has no record of insurance, the vehicle will be towed. The officers will attempt to find transportation for anyone who has a vehicle impounded. Since we use a wrecker rotation, owners will have to bring proof of insurance on the vehicle towed to the police department before it will be released. All fees associated with the towing and storage of the impounded vehicle has to be paid for release. City of Paris 27Revised 2/04l08 _ ~ 1