Posted on 02/25/2010 9:59:20 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Nearly a third of older-model cars stopped for roadside smog tests in Southern California failed them, despite having received a passing grade at inspection stations within a year, a state audit has found.
The results of those surprise inspections of 6,000 models manufactured before 1996 have led law enforcement officials to crack down on unscrupulous stations, step up fines and file more criminal charges.
Legislation introduced in the California Assembly this week would allow the state to bar low-performing test stations from conducting smog checks.
"We found widespread fraud in the program," said Leo Kay, spokesman for the California Air Resources Board, which is sponsoring the bill.
"There are quite a few people out there who will get your dirty car passed," said Tom Cackette, deputy director of the board. "You can stick a probe up the tailpipe of a clean vehicle. And the dirty car doesn't get inspected but it gets certified. We put people in jail for that. Undercover activity shows it is prevalent."
The legislation, introduced this week by Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), also would fundamentally change how the majority of inspections are done. Testers would be required to use a hand-held scanner that reads data from on-board computers found on post-1996 cars, which report the vehicle's performance over time. Tailpipe-and-treadmill testing, which is more susceptible to manipulation and fraud, will be phased out as older cars leave the state's roads. Bill backers expect the test, used in 22 states, to take half as much time, which could drive down prices for consumers.
The computer device would register the car's model and VIN, making fraud difficult. Information gleaned from onboard computers, which monitor components from catalytic converters to gas caps, would go directly to the state Bureau of Automotive Repair.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
CARB found the”widespread fraud”.
I rarely see smokers on the freeway these days.
These folks just don’t know when to shove it.
This smog thing is a nightmare for working class people and the working poor.
The smog program can definitely be labelled a “war on the poor”.
The county of Los Angeles is now going after pet owners for their $15 pet license fees.
Is this San Francisco?
That do look like bribery and corruption.
I hated CARB with a purple passion when I lived in SoCal. If you like tinkering and modifying performance cars, CARB makes you life a nightmare of trying to stay legal. They WILL fail you on a test for no other reason than some part on your car is not CARB “approved”. Car can be totally clean, they do not care..............
California, the state that pretty much INVENTED the automobile culture, and more specifically, the hot rod subculture, is now doing its level best to kill it. These smog stations were, and are, decried by classic car enthusiasts constantly, because even a well-maintained musclecar has problems getting through the test due to the unrealistic thresholds the state insists must be met.
the state Bureau of Automotive RepairThere needs to be a Federal Bureau of Automotive Repair. While they're at it, doing something constructive for the peeps, there is also a need for small appliance repair, large appliance repair, and industrial equipment repair. If you want to professionalize, you've got to federalize. I think it was a Republican who coined that last phrase.
They next will want to have all the test stations run by state employees who get 100k and year and 55 retirement at 110% pay with COLA and Cadillac health care. Plus build all the stations with stimulus funds.
“We found widespread fraud in the program,” How unexpected.
“I hated CARB with a purple passion when I lived in SoCal. If you like tinkering and modifying performance cars, CARB makes you life a nightmare of trying to stay legal. They WILL fail you on a test for no other reason than some part on your car is not CARB “approved”. Car can be totally clean, they do not care..............”
I have a solution: dissolve the entire CARB. Also, remove program like this from other states, including those like Illinois, where testing was “free” when I was there...”free”, because it was done by state workers - HA!
There is fraud in the original legislation:
The original law said that when a car was 25 years old, it would NO LONGER berequired to have smog inspections. It was to start with 1973 model cars, rendering them exempt in 1998.
Classic car enthusiasts and others fought long and hard for that part of the legislation.
The California legislation very quietly removed that provision in the late 90’s, and reneged on what they had agreen to 25 years earlier.
Add to that the fact that newer and newer requirements of compliance are added to these older cars which never had any of the smog stuff, and you might understand why so many of us with older cars are furious at California.
>These smog stations were, and are, decried by classic car enthusiasts
I have a 57 Bel Air and a 67 Camaro that don’t get smogged here in Nevada. Is that the case in California? Or would I have to mess with my babies to get thm to pass?
The county of Los Angeles is now going after pet owners for their $15 pet license fees.”
City of West hollywood has passed a new law effective in early March that prohibits Pet Stores from selling dogs or cats or puppies or kittens.
Next thing will be you cannot sell a hamburger with a bun.
I don’t miss California at all. Will NEVER go back.
These petty tyrants never stop looking for new ways to torture and shake down the people of California.
Anyone seeking massive fraud need look no further than the state legislature.
>The results of those surprise inspections of 6,000 models manufactured before 1996 have led law enforcement officials to crack down on unscrupulous stations, step up fines and file more criminal charges.
The other option is to believe that the roadside tests were rigged... who here has faith in the objectivity of California’s LEO _not_ being used as a cash-collection agency.
I had them come knocking on my door about 2 weeks ago. Told them that I was sorry to disappoint them but my dog died a number of years ago. What gets me is that I had animal control come pick up its body and they couldn’t be smart enough to make a record of his current ID at the time saving the trouble of having to come to my door trying to collect a fee.
Animal control officials in Los Angeles are stepping up pressure on dog owners to license their dogs as the city searches for more ways to offset its huge budget deficit.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/lifeandculture/ci_14464309
soon they will stick a probe in Fido’s butt to check for methane ?
I bet they are A-OK with selling Gerbils though.....
It’s smogging itself that is a fraud, they can fail your car over the gasket on the gas cap being worn, or idling improperly or just having the check engine light on.
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