delliot ... actually (and maybe sadly) i do remember the state inspections!

As far as the ability to avoid them ... well, i think the amazing amount of data the state now keeps and tracks will be more than sufficient to hold owner/operators accountable and even much more difficult to avoid. Yes, 20 years ago the state had so many loopholes. I can attest that times have changed and the state is starting to keep pace with the times.

Having the state create a department solely for vehicle/driver safety will also help to free up the mobile law enforcement groups from having to initiate road side inspections. Then, maybe, they (law enforcement) can really begin to focus on residential crime.
There are too many statistics (most of which are known to be skewed in favor of insufficient data with a plus/minus in favor of positive impact) that show highway law enforcement has little positive influence in reducing automobile accidents (the most critical measure).

I'm not saying it will change the world ... but i think it's a step in the right direction. Any time you can make an 'audit' more specialized ... then the results and follow-up with corrective action has a greater benefit.

.... and i want to see more practical use of my tax dollars!

oh ... and a good example of this is that I've been driving my Amigo now for nearly a month ... with NO tag on the back (i have the temp in the front seat). And my jet ski trailer also has an old tag as well. No one has even given me a glance. Call me a criminal mastermind! bwahahaha.

 

If you read the articles, and I have been, it doesn't mention emissions testings. It just mentions that the cars being sold here will have to comply with California emission standards.

A lot of people view emissions testing as a tax, which is why I don't think we will see that again.

 

considering my diet lately ... i better be out of the car if they do a smog/breath-a-lizer test!

"...CARB approved ... don't you mean Adkins approved? Cuz my Bacardi and Diet Cola have almost no carbs in it *hicup*"

 

i agree this would be a good thing but for most of us with mods done to are cars this sucks but anyways im all good no mater what my freind has a shop and has a bunch of inspection stickers.

 

Keith--something I've never understood is how California can get "away" with having different emission standards (and I think their gas is different also) than the rest of the country.

It's kinda like Florida having 110/220volts for electrical equipment, and California having 75/150.


As far as inspections go, I'm all for it

I'd also like to see people who don't have insurance/suspended DL's etc, have their vehicles impounded until they have insurance or the DL is in the clear.

 

I think with just a few exceptions you guys are too young to remember when Florida had inspections before. There were huge lines and it was a real hassle to get your car inspected. And adding to what Keith said, the cost of the inspection.

 

Dave - Not sure how California can do it. They have always had different as long as I can remember. The car companies used to have an option on certain cars 'California Emmissions'

As for the last time we had inspections it was a joke. They had one or two inspection stations per county and all they did were emissions testing. I knew people who would pass WITHOUT a cat, as long as their car was hot enough.

If they did inspections where there were hundreds of locations per county, etc., and it included safety inspections, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed. It amazes me some of the unsafe crap I see on the road.

 

from what i've read/heard from some California folks ... i think any 'shop' can be certified as an inspection station.

I don't know if this would just be emissions testing or if it also includes the safety check as well. But, either way ... any state agency will be 'limited' in their ability to process anything in a way to make the majority of us happy ... we're all so conditioned to have things done quickly (aka 'drive thru' society).

I guess something else needs to be mentioned with this thread ... i heard that just a few years ago certain COUNTIES were doing vehicle/emissions testing.??? Wasn't it Tampa and/or Jacksonville area's doing this??

The other option, which unfortunately is currently a county-by-county dictation, is increased 'code enforcement'. This group could easily be expanded (or segregated) into vehicle checks as well (kinda like a big city 'meter maid').

Just consider this policy announcement by the state: "As of this date, all vehicles not in compliance with basic state insurance and registration laws will be towed and inpounded" That may make some people finally take some action to get there vehicles road ready. If that was the case my tag would be attached to the Amigo RIGHT NOW!

 

I will have to open an inspection center or pay someone off. Throw on a cat and lean it out to trailer it to the station.

 

Yes...a few years back certain counties with high particulate counts as measured by FL DEP had emmissions testing run by the State. Many years previous to that Florida had statewide safety inspections also run by the State.

Florida hasn't had experience with certifying independent inspection stations the way many states do. I'm not sure how the Legislature would choose to have new inspections happen in the future.