Time for mandatory inspections through the US?

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
That person in your example wasn't being personally responsible for their safety, or my safety. I don't want her hoopty sliding into mine because the bald tires can't stop in a rainstorm, or skids out on 1" of snow. There's this thing called a budget, and saving...


You see, this is where most of you have no common frame of reference. A thing called budget and saving? People are loosing their jobs and homes left and right. They can barely put food on the table. You think buying tires or tie rods for their beater is high on their priority list?

Originally Posted By: sciphi
If the mechanic told her "your tires will need replacing soon" at the last inspection and she ignores that recommendation, then she's playing games with the lives of her kids and every other road user she is near.

So, when the won't-pass-inspection bald tires cause an accident, it's easy to find out if she's been shirking her responsibility to have a minimum level of functional safety equipment.


I never said it was the best thing to do, but sometimes people have no choice. There is no such thing as "saving" for them. They take a chance. It really does suck and if they cause an accident, it's on them. Cops enforce what they can, but new laws and hefty fines are not the answer. Impounding the car until it's repaired certainly isn't. I'm very passionate about this subject, because I have been there. I've been the kid in my mom's beater sitting in line to get gas on the even days. I watched her cry at the kitchen table at night trying to figure out how to pay the bills. My old man never gave us a dang thing. The last thing Mom thought about was keeping up on the car to make sure it's in tip top shape.

My brothers and I are fortunate that we have done well in life. We don't have the same burden that my Mom did. Now I take care of her car 100%. That's the least I can do. She will never have to worry about a beater ever again. Still, I remember the tough times and the worry and the stress. It is burned in to me and no one can truly understand what it is to be poor until you live it. There are indeed people out there who have bald tires, yet have the ability to buy new - they simply could care less. The problem is that you can't impose laws and fines without affecting the unfortunates who have no means to buy these things. IMO, it's not right.

 

[Zaedock]

I just want to add that I enjoy these conversations with your guys. This one just seemed to hit home a bit more.

 

[Hootbro]

Feds screw up enough things already, do not need them in my life over vehicle inspections, that is a state issue and needs to be handle at a state level.

 

[gathermewool]

My favorite story to tell is about a guy I saw at Autozone futily trying to bang a too-small set of chrome-plastic hubcaps onto his steelies. The car was an early-90's Honda, with a busted headlight and a crack that ran from one end of his windshield to the other.

Unfortunately, inspections won't stop stupidity. I had a close call a few months ago, after nearly changing lanes into a dark grey vehicle driving in my right blind spot at dusk during a downpour without any lights on at all. Luckily I took an additional few looks over my shoulder before taking the lane and noticed him during the last look. Dark car + dark out + heavy rain + how most people change lanes (signal AS they change lanes) = accident. Even common sense would dictate that matching speeds with some one AFTER entering their blind spot isn't smart. Further, staying there when their blnker is on and has been on for the past 5 seconds.

I slowed down, changed lanes and flashed my highbeams a couple of times - no response. I gave it one more try by turning my lights on and off twice - no response. Unfortunately, he was not alone. I made a point to count off all the other unsafe no-light-users to my wife and I ended up with over a dozen in the 20 minute drive, but made no further attemtps to "help."

 

[01rangerxl]

I think federally mandated inspections would be a poor idea, at least in the US. They have meddled in vehicles enough as it is and they certainly don't need to be inspecting them. On the state level, I think it can be beneficial if there is a real safety concern (rust) AND the process is fair and transparent. I don't think it always is.

In my state, any licensed shop from a Jiffy Lube, to a dealer, to a hole in the wall indy shop can perform inspections. There is a potential for a conflict of interest since the shop performing the inspection is likely to be the shop doing the repair. One tire chain quoted my roommate something like $1200 for a steering rack during an inspection, but when the Jeep dealer gave a second opinion it ended up being a $200 or so repair. My truck has never failed an inspection and I am pretty much always aware of its mechanical condition, but still I stick to places I trust and would use for other things. The same guy has inspected my truck most years, so I feel a lot better about that than some kid at a tire store looking for an upsell.

As Hokiefyd said, it's a joke here anyway though. Some cars get upsells, others get passed because of knowing the right place/person. There is also a waiver if your vehicle fails emissions and costs over $200 to fix...of course the state wants $200 in exchange for this waiver. The whole thing is a money grab disguised as safety/environmental protection.

 

[apwillard1986]

It is a state level concern. If your state has a mandatory inspection program or the rules are enforced somewhat more subjectively by local law officers, driving is a privilege not a right. If for whatever reason you cannot follow the rules and/or make sure the vehicle you pilot is not a danger to yourself and others you have no business on the road. Under no circumstance does anyone have the right to endanger anyone else. I agree it is political and a money grab. That's the rub however if you want the privilege of operating a motor vehicle.

 

[Donald]

The basic concept of an inspection is that you do not inspect your own work. That to me says the inspection stations need to be independent and not fix vehicles. NJ had them and still may. It was fun when I was a kid to go with Dad to the inspection station.

NY checks a few things and slaps on an inspection sticker and reports it to DMV and DMV reports it to CarFax.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I'm all for it as long as they let me fix the car myself.


Definitely agree with you there.
An inspection is an inspection though, as long as the car is inspected and is fine, it really should not matter who did the work.

 

[DB_Cooper]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I'd like North Carolina to enforce its inspection criteria more, and spot-check their inspectors. Nobody takes their illegal HID conversion out of the car for inspection, or their junk Depo lights. They don't remove their illegal limo tint on the front windows. They simply bring a case of beer to their buddy who has an inspection license and they pass.

Law enforcement officers have a lot to do, and I'm sure writing citations for illegal HID conversions is pretty far down on their list. But the state is running an inspection program, and has licensed thousands of people to implement it. I'd like a little more light shined on those folks who are passing vehicles that shouldn't pass.


I went to school in NC and the "safety inspection" was a joke..usually a shake down to adjust your headlamps for $20 or sell a set of tires..even if the exsisting tires were fine..just a little worn.

The NC cops were always too busy writing tickets for 43mph in a 35mph zone..a favorite of theirs. I knew of more than one person that got a ticket for faulty equipment..at the scene of an accident. Thats when they wrote up the "faulty brakes or tail lamps:.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I would add that in winter (winter defined as any time there was any possibility of snow or ice) ANY police officer should be able to stop any vehicle with a bald tire, issue a big fine, and demand that the vehicle be towed to a mechanic or tire shop. And the mechanic or tire shop not be allowed to release the vehicle back to the customer until proper tires were installed.


That would keep a lot of people off the road because many either wouldn't have or want to spend the money to buy good winter tires. Less congestion on slippery winter roads, more local bus ridership.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Its a corrupt joke. I was once told flatly that it would cost $100 for my truck to pass inspection. He didnt need to see the truck, just the cash. The guy that "inspected" my Genesis checked NOTHING...he just put on the sticker.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Silk
We've had 6 monthly inspections in NZ for over 80 years - now they are thinking of making major changes. 12 monthly, never, only when vehicle sold, by mileage - it's all up for consultation.

It's political, not safety driven.
Taxachusetts was making big wampum inspecting every six months. After an unusual show of voter anger, the "Great and General Court" was forced to extend the interval to one year. Fine revenue is easiest to collect from "speeding" tickets. That's why moving violation tickets you can't hand out from behind a bush are few and far between. Tailgating, lack of signals, zipping from passing lane to exit without looking, all happen every day and are SELDOM written up. 7 MPH over on a deserted rural interstate???? LOOK OUT. There's lots of "Federal" money (actually OUR money returned to us with strings) to enforce "speed" laws, for just plain bad driving, not so much.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I would add that in winter (winter defined as any time there was any possibility of snow or ice) ANY police officer should be able to stop any vehicle with a bald tire, issue a big fine, and demand that the vehicle be towed to a mechanic or tire shop. And the mechanic or tire shop not be allowed to release the vehicle back to the customer until proper tires were installed.


Overboard. Officers in winter conditions are busy taking care of the few accidents not looking at folks tires.

Having great tires does not make you a good winter driver. Skill/common sense over rules it all. I am amazed how good of a winter driver my wife is. She grew up with $500 RWD/FWD japanese econ-boxes with junk tires. She never changed tires until a mechanic or officer insisted where inspection was not involved.

 

[HerrStig]

Sooooooo we want the GOVERNMENT in the business of telling us the "right" tires to buy? Do they have to be green as well?

 

[rshaw125]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I'd like North Carolina to enforce its inspection criteria more, and spot-check their inspectors. Nobody takes their illegal HID conversion out of the car for inspection, or their junk Depo lights. They don't remove their illegal limo tint on the front windows. They simply bring a case of beer to their buddy who has an inspection license and they pass.

Law enforcement officers have a lot to do, and I'm sure writing citations for illegal HID conversions is pretty far down on their list. But the state is running an inspection program, and has licensed thousands of people to implement it. I'd like a little more light shined on those folks who are passing vehicles that shouldn't pass.



I would like to see NC end the inspection program completely. As for tint and HID lights. Cops love this. They have reason to pull you over handed to them. And they use it all the time.

 

[Dave Sherman]

Nope, inspections are a major hassle. My dad can tell you about the hassles of inspecting a 65 year old car. Seems at one time not long ago, the great state of PA had no cutoff age for emission testing. Yep, it failed miserably, but come on, the only emission control it has is a muffler!

I know some British car owners with vehicles like my MG where the over-zealous inspectors aren't aware that clutch safety switches didn't become standardized until the early 1980s, and wouldn't let them pass because their car wasn't equipped with a clutch safety switch.

On the other hand, I'm kind of amazed that I put my MG on the road, never having been seen by anyone at the BMV or the title bureau. It was just old enough to be exempt from emissions when I resurrected it, and the BMV just trusts that I'll make sure everything is roadworthy before I drive it.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The basic concept of an inspection is that you do not inspect your own work. That to me says the inspection stations need to be independent and not fix vehicles.


That's my beef with Virginia inspections--inspecting shops also do the work. When I first moved here, I had an old Saturn inspected. It passed after I let them change a bulb for $8.

A year and 5000 miles later, they wanted $1300 to pass it. One of the things it "needed" was a new rack, because they said the old one was leaking. Funny, because I checked the fluid regularly and never had to add any.

I had been saving for a replacement, so I was able to buy a used car, and got more in trade value for the Saturn than I would have been able to make selling it. I also found a new shop to inspect my vehicles.

I lived in Nevada for awhile, where there was a more sensible system. They checked emissions only, not safety, but the inspecting shop was not allowed to fix the car if it didn't pass.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

In NYS you can have a vehicle pass inspection with severe frame rot, bad ball joints, no working lights ... BUT ! ... if the check engine light is on because the electric fan doens't operate 100%, it will fail.

There's a serious problem.

 

[kb01]

It would be interesting to know if there's any hard data regarding the effectiveness of safety inspections in preventing multi-car accidents, or just reducing insurance premiums.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic

A year and 5000 miles later, they wanted $1300 to pass it. One of the things it "needed" was a new rack, because they said the old one was leaking. Funny, because I checked the fluid regularly and never had to add any.


It seems like "you need a new rack" is a favorite.