Tampa Council discussing bill to charge at-fault drivers for cleaning up accidents

TAMPA,Fla. - What's that saying; An elephant never forgets?

Well the city doesn't either because at Old City Hall they are now revisiting an old idea from back in 2007 - Charging people for accidents.

City Attorney Chip Fletcher and the city's legal department have been directed by Tampa City Council to look into just that, to see if the cost of traffic accidents could be moved from the property taxpayers to those responsible for the accident.

But that won't be easy.

"It turns out in 2009 the legislature significantly limited the ability of cities to access fees for responses to vehicle accidents," Fletcher explained.

So the city's legal staff is looking at extremes not covered by the legislation like helicopter or hazmat responses.

There is concern though, that whatever money can be saved by the move could end up costing taxpayers more just the same, if the costs are passed on to insurance companies, who in turn then raise their rates.

"That's why I believe the legislature limited our authority to do that,” Fletcher says.

Staff is expected to bring back more information to City Council on January 2nd.