When impounding a vehicle obstructing traffic, which procedure is NOT proper?

When impounding a vehicle that is obstructing traffic, sending a bill for towing to the owner is not a standard or appropriate procedure. The primary goal when a vehicle is impounded is to ensure the safe removal of the vehicle to maintain traffic flow and safety.

The typical procedures include towing the vehicle to a secure location, conducting an inventory search to document any items within the vehicle (which helps protect the officer against claims of theft and provides accountability), and ensuring that the owner has the opportunity to reclaim their vehicle once it is safe and practical to do so. However, the responsibility for the towing and any associated charges usually falls upon the vehicle's owner at the point of retrieval, not as a follow-up billing process.

Releasing a vehicle to the owner is an acknowledged practice; once all legal requirements and protocols have been met, the owner can retrieve their vehicle. Thus, sending a bill post-impound is not a routine procedure within the established protocols for handling impounded vehicles.