Seeing a vehicle with dangerous mechanical defects

[Shannow]

The system that I was used to in the ACT went as follows

Queue, and a guy with a clipboard would walk around the car, checking wipers, blinkers, headlights, brakelights, rust and tyres. Would check window tint with an optical device.

Then into the "shed", where first test was to clear a 4" steel frame (lowest legal ride height, I failed a couple of times).

Front end would be jacked up (they didn't worry about the rear), and they would do a detailed check of the front end, levering each joint, stop to stop smoothness, jerkiness etc. Rubber inspections. Oil leaks could be a recommendation, or a fail. Never saw a car fail, except for shock absorber leaks.

Drop the front, and into the headlight alignment machine to ensure that they went where they were supposed to do, and didn't blind oncoming traffic.

Then onto the brake Dyno, where each axle was tested for split and functionality. Many FWDers found the rear circuit non functional, with no real evidence while driving.

Then out.

Inspection station had no interest in supersizing the deal, as they didn't do repairs.

 

[Silk]

Here in New Zealand a safety inspection (Warrant of Fitness,or WoF,trucks get a Certificate of Fitness,a tougher test) was started in the mid '30's - in the depression with low or zero incomes,high parts prices and unavailability of parts (tyres etc) people were not repairing their cars and some were very dangerous. The 6 monthly WoF made sure tyres and brakes were up to standard and all lights were working.

In the last few decades with large amounts of vehicles coming in used from overseas it has become more of a compliance inspection. We have had to abandon our isolated ways,and bring in rules from around the world and have a more international view....our regs are now based on mainly Euro standards.

This is largely what I do for a living,inspecting up to a dozen cars a day. I go on courses every year,and we have a tough audit every one or 2 years,the length between revues based on the outcome of our last one.

Mechanical failure on NZ roads is fairly rare,but of course still does happen. You can't stop people pushing the limits,and our vehicle fleet is older than other western nations. Of course it penalises people who look after their car by making them pay for the test,while others just carry on regardless.

This is the manual I have to work with,in 2 large folders on my desk where I do my tests.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/virm-in-service-certification/virm-in-service-certification.html

 

[crinkles]

Just had my first rego check as you need one after the carturns 5.

They do an inspection to the ausdesign rules, including a decelerometer test for brakes.

Many Queensland registered vehicles here due to proximity of border, and in general the condition of new south wales vehicles over qld vehicles is much better. When I see ashitbox on the road I know it's a qld plate before I check!

Herevis an example fromthenorthern territory.
http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/mvr/vehiclestandards/publications/nt-insp-manual-light-vehicles.pdf

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Can anyone point to a study that shows that vehicle safety inspections actually improve vehicle accident and fatality rates? Interesting homework for those pushing the idea that a safety inspection program actually does what is advertised, you know, improves safety.

As far as what do I do if I observe an unsafe vehicle? If it really is an immediate safety hazard, call the authorities. I've done it before and not regretted it.

If its a low tire, brake light out, etc.., I gauge the situation, and choose to mention the issue to them or move on. Several times I have received a positive reaction - a thank you, etc... Sometimes people just don't know.



If they didn't improve safety why does every single race track require them?

Granted were not racing on the street but having a bald tire or sloppy ball joints on the highway at 70 is just as dangerous.

 

[JHZR2]

The problem with these kinds of "metrics" is that a needle in a haystack type situation is present compared to the miner of cars on the road.

The reality is that I see a vehicle with a major safety issue more or less every single day that I drive. The reality also is that I see thousands of cars on the road.

1 in 1000 isn't a very good number to plaster someplace metrics wise.

Then again, if you were going to Plautus lottery for a million dollars, and the chances were 1/1000, is that bad odds?

The other realities are that we see breakdowns every day, and we see accidents every day.

But how many of these things are related in the end all? I'd say a large proportion, but again a small number compared to the numbers on the road.

I'm not a big fan of excessive policing to make people fall in line, however there is a point where irresponsibility overwhelms. Many people on the road are irresponsible...

 

[GMBoy]

State run safety inspections are just another form of tax. But, with the idiots today that cannot or will not maintain a vehicle, it becomes a needed hassle.

 

[MNgopher]

Still waiting for the hard statistics showing the improvement in safety in the use being descried here for safety inspections...

I can't and won't argue about inspections for racing. Not a valid comparison.

 

[DrDusty86]

I don't bother trying to tell people anymore.. they don't care down here... I tried to tell a lady while at a light. I saw her front tire wobbling when she pulled up to the light. She was to busy texting and what not. She had 2 young boys in the Expedition.. She ignored me. I stayed WAY far back... then watched that tire with lose lug nut come off, she lost control and barrel rolled down an embankment...That's on her, not me. I've seen ball hitches not coupled on trailers... I don't care.. it will not affect me once I notice it and get away from them...
[censored] I was walking into a Whataburger and noticed a dodge hemi with a major oil leak "lose filter" I saw the guy and his wife and 2 kids walking to the truck and let him know.. He said" Mind your own ^%^$ing business , son, if I wanted you to open your mouth I would have said something to you" I WAS SHOCKED!!! NEVER EVER again will I approach someone if they have vehicle trouble...it's on them!! PERIOD

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Still waiting for the hard statistics showing the improvement in safety in the use being descried here for safety inspections...




There isn't any because I feel like you - it's a worthless tax for the most part. I know some states like PA do a pretty deep inspection but most, like Texas, just basically check your lights and smog check and off you go.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy


If they didn't improve safety why does every single race track require them?

Granted were not racing on the street but having a bald tire or sloppy ball joints on the highway at 70 is just as dangerous.


Ditto for autocross events. Now we didn't check wipers or lights. But we did tug on the wheels of each car, check for obvious faults and did the participant have a current helmet.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
State run safety inspections are just another form of tax. But, with the idiots today that cannot or will not maintain a vehicle, it becomes a needed hassle.


How so?

I can see them as a jobs program (you pay to register your car, the inspection cost is built in, pas the salary of the person doing the inspection), but not a tax. Keep your car reasonably properly and there is no cost.

The only time Ive ever failed was because of a lightbulb.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
I don't bother trying to tell people anymore.. they don't care down here... I tried to tell a lady while at a light. I saw her front tire wobbling when she pulled up to the light. She was to busy texting and what not. She had 2 young boys in the Expedition.. She ignored me. I stayed WAY far back... then watched that tire with lose lug nut come off, she lost control and barrel rolled down an embankment...That's on her, not me. I've seen ball hitches not coupled on trailers... I don't care.. it will not affect me once I notice it and get away from them...
[censored] I was walking into a Whataburger and noticed a dodge hemi with a major oil leak "lose filter" I saw the guy and his wife and 2 kids walking to the truck and let him know.. He said" Mind your own ^%^$ing business , son, if I wanted you to open your mouth I would have said something to you" I WAS SHOCKED!!! NEVER EVER again will I approach someone if they have vehicle trouble...it's on them!! PERIOD


Statistics are tough to compile but I think most everyone has stories like this, some havent walked away from them to tell the story.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Still waiting for the hard statistics showing the improvement in safety in the use being descried here for safety inspections...

I can't and won't argue about inspections for racing. Not a valid comparison.



Are you impling the inverse, that the issues that the OP mentioned are complete non-issues that wont effect the outcomes of the situation?

Would you prefer to be behind someone with one or three brake lights when you get caught up in a panic stop?

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
State run safety inspections are just another form of tax. But, with the idiots today that cannot or will not maintain a vehicle, it becomes a needed hassle.


How so?

I can see them as a jobs program (you pay to register your car, the inspection cost is built in, pas the salary of the person doing the inspection), but not a tax. Keep your car reasonably properly and there is no cost.

The only time Ive ever failed was because of a lightbulb.


It is just a tax here in Texas.

You drive in, guy checks your lights, a little 30 ft drive to test brakes and an obd2 emmisions hook up for 1996 newer or treadmill smog check for older vehicles. You pay, your sticker and see ya next year. They don't check for loose suspension parts and other real safety stuff - just get your money and move on. It doesn't save any lives and the roads are still full of unsafe clunker cars.

Like I said before (you may have missed that) some states, like PA that do a complete inspection each year probably do weed out unsafe cars.

 

[The_Jeff]

I'm a license state inspection mechanic-- never worked a day in my life. The test was a written test, no skills involved. I got the license in case my day job disappears, something to fall back on.

Around here the big thing is rust, rust, rust. Put the car on the lift and check all the brake and fuel lines, ball joints, wheel bearings, frame, floor pan, exhaust.

You're *supposed* to open the hood and check the latch, battery tie down, valve cover gaskets for leaking, but I haven't seen anyone do that.

It works. A $1000 car from here will be in better shape than a $1000 car from elsewhere. Even if the sticker ran out it's only got a year's worth of neglect. And used car dealers have to sell cars meeting the standard, or tell you what's wrong. It levels the playing field or at least gives a floor to a car's condition. Like expecting a rental apartment to be habitable without leaky roofs or doors that don't lock.

People have money to spend fixing up their cars. They spend it on fireworks, booze, cable tv, and cell phones. Most uninspected clunkers I've seen people give up on are bigger than compact-- if the fatties driving them chose something smaller they could have put the hundreds of dollars they saved on gas in the bank for needed repairs. And tires wouldn't be $200 each either. Instead they're gallavanting around with rusty brake lines, bald tires, and bluetooth gadgets in their ears.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Just because there is a problem, don't assume it's because people are unable to or don't care to fix it. I had my brake lights out twice recently. Didn't know it, kinda hard to see them in the car. Both times it was a blown fuse. First time I changed it and tried to see if it blew again. Didn't for a while so I thought I was good. Did it again, changed it again, tried to fine out why. Been careful to try to make sure my lights are good. Both times, if someone had told me I probably would have been aware a lot sooner and addressed the problem.

 

[The_Jeff]

... and with inspections, cops leave drivers alone on equipment issues. Would you rather choose your mechanic from many available, over the period of a month, or have a cop choose to pull over and inconvenience you for a random roadside inspection because you or your car fits a profile?

 

[Astro14]

You'll have to assess the situation yourself. But if I figure it's reasonably safe to inform the driver, politely, that they might want to take a look at something, then I do so. Then it's up to them what action (if any) to take...

I was once on 287 in NJ, near the Tappan Zee in heavy stop-and-go traffic, driving my old Volvo 240 wagon. The woman behind me almost hit me on one stop - I heard her yell...but it wasn't an angry yell...I rolled down the window and looked back. She repeated, "Your brake lights don't work! I almost hit you!" I thanked her, dialed up an auto parts chain on my cell phone and bought a new brake light switch later that afternoon.

She saved me from a potential accident by telling me something I did not know.