‘Crash tax' raising eyebrows in Missouri City

[TexasTowelie]

MISSOURI CITY, Texas -- The Houston suburb of Missouri City is going to charge drivers extra to respond to wrecks.

It's known as a "crash tax." It’s a fee to cover the cost of first responders who come to help you out, and that fee could add up to a couple thousand bucks.

Starting March 1, Missouri City's Fire Department will charge a fee for responding to traffic accidents.

<<<snip>>>

The charges range from $500 all the way up to $2,000. The amount depends on the severity of the accident. Those fees target drivers that are at fault, which is little consolation to those skeptical about how it's going to work.

More at http://www.khou.com/news/Crash-tax-raising-eyebrows-in-Missouri-City--191759481.html .

[RC]

1. Well, so much for government working for us and providing services.

How is this any different than any private company offering to help? Except for the fact you can't say no, that is.

[bluestateguy]

2. It can take days or weeks to determine who is at fault in a wreck

Or sometimes the blame is apportioned between both parties.

This will be a huge headache and is yet another step toward the privatization of government services that should not be privatized.

[Gothmog]

3. Missouri City is in my county

Missouri City is on the opposite side of Fort Bend County but we have party functions there from time to time. This new policy is simply wrong.