Watch CBS News

NYC To Test New Tire-Locking Clamp

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City plans to test a tire-locking clamp that scofflaws could unlock themselves with a code after paying their fine over the phone.

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb With Comment From Mayor Bloomberg

Podcast

Finance Commissioner David Frankel told the Daily News that the city wants to make debt collection as positive and easy as possible.

After unlocking the boot, drivers would need to take the boot to a drop-off location or incur another charge.

"If you think about it, boots make a lot of sense because you don't have to go and tow the car when it's parked illegally," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday. "But the trouble with boots, is the old ones take an enormous amount of mechanical [effort] and strength to put on a boot and then you got to come and take it off."

The special device would mean the city wouldn't tow vehicles with more than $350 in outstanding fines.

The city plans a test run of the new boots sometime this summer or early fall.

Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.