rob-2

I believe most states have laws related to how low cars can be (mostly regulated through headlight height from the ground). While I philosophically agree with your position, the reality is that roads are part of the public trust*, and some measure of conformity is necessary to mitigate risks associated with driving. Some vehicle safety laws are arbitrary and capricious, but the slippery slope argument notwithstanding, some road safety laws are indeed necessary. It's a fine line, to be sure, but I feel comfortable saying that these cars are unsafe and pose a legitimate risk. Now, to add to your argument, the part that concerns me is that the government's usual approach is to legislate with an axe rather than a scalpel, so I can see them banning modified suspension rather than banning cars with unsafely modified suspension, and that is obviously not good.

Also, it's "fewer laws" not "less laws." ;-)


*Yes, I'm more than familiar with common law and therefore realize that I'm speaking metaphorically in that even though highways are not natural, the spirit of the common law principal applies just the same.
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Not in disagreement with you. Think we both agree.

hariku821

So it is OK for this person to endanger everyone else on the road because they cannot afford proper maintenance? When strangers start to notice this while driving it has to be pretty bad.

Bullwings

I believe most states have laws related to how low cars can be (mostly regulated through headlight height from the ground). While I philosophically agree with your position, the reality is that roads are part of the public trust*, and some measure of conformity is necessary to mitigate risks associated with driving. Some vehicle safety laws are arbitrary and capricious, but the slippery slope argument notwithstanding, some road safety laws are indeed necessary. It's a fine line, to be sure, but I feel comfortable saying that these cars are unsafe and pose a legitimate risk. Now, to add to your argument, the part that concerns me is that the government's usual approach is to legislate with an axe rather than a scalpel, so I can see them banning modified suspension rather than banning cars with unsafely modified suspension, and that is obviously not good.

Also, it's "fewer laws" not "less laws." ;-)


*Yes, I'm more than familiar with common law and therefore realize that I'm speaking metaphorically in that even though highways are not natural, the spirit of the common law principal applies just the same.
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Not in disagreement with you. Think we both agree.
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This - in agreement with both of you.

While I think the line between functional and hellaflush is quite distinct for car enthusiasts and those understanding vehicle modification in general, it's very easy to lump the vast majority of car modification into a single group.

As said, I could see a dull spoon being used to cut the differences between the two rather than a sharp razor to differentiate.

Blazing angel

Just some insight on what is actually banned
http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/publicati...ng_driving.pdf