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Author	Topic: Why aren't emmissions controls enforced?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

veloman Sophomore Author Connecticut Posts:196 Points:4,430 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 6:33:41 PM Ignore veloman Report Abuse The poorer area of town is signifcantly more polluted than everywhere else. It is very clear that many vehicles in that area could not pass emissions. Why have a law that protects the health of the people if you won't enforce it? Everyone I talk to knows emissions testing is a joke and you can get away with not having it done. This pisses me off because why should someone be allowed to illegally pollute the air I breath just because they can't afford to maintain their car? Maybe they shouldn't be driving if they can't afford a car that passes emissions?

veloman

Sophomore Author
Connecticut

Posts:196
Points:4,430
Joined:Sep 2006

Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 6:33:41 PM

Ignore veloman Report Abuse

The poorer area of town is signifcantly more polluted than everywhere else. It is very clear that many vehicles in that area could not pass emissions.

Why have a law that protects the health of the people if you won't enforce it?

Everyone I talk to knows emissions testing is a joke and you can get away with not having it done.

This pisses me off because why should someone be allowed to illegally pollute the air I breath just because they can't afford to maintain their car? Maybe they shouldn't be driving if they can't afford a car that passes emissions?

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

eccerr0r All-Star Author Fort Collins Posts:990 Points:594,470 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 2:16:52 PM Ignore eccerr0r Report Abuse There's a catch22 here. To the rich it's easy to get a car that passes emissions. To the poor, one need a car to make money (more often than not) and having a car, even if it pollutes, will help them make money (and save money too). So those holyer-than-thou, are they trying to just keep the poor, poor by being selfish?
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,262 Points:358,195 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 2:04:19 PM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Hello veloman. I liven in Aiken County, South Carolina and we have no vehicle inspections (eliminated in 1994) and no emissions testing. That said, I moved here from Chicago, IL where emissions was strictly monitored by the State of Illinois. Once a year, the vehicle had to be tested. At that time (I'm not sure about now), the cost per vehicle inspection was $6.00 and paid for by IL. If a vehicle failed, repairs were mandated. If after three failures the issue could not be corrected (you needed proof of repairs), then the vehicle was passed. The entire issue of emission testing is mandated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and is directly related to the air quality within a locale.
97PearlCat Champion Author Tulsa Posts:3,967 Points:834,120 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 1:34:07 PM Ignore 97PearlCat Report Abuse No emmission testing here.
Tsunamiron Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,429 Points:557,725 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 1:03:01 PM Ignore Tsunamiron Report Abuse I wish they were enforced around here.
14smoke Champion Author Birmingham Posts:13,204 Points:1,924,165 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 10:52:27 AM Ignore 14smoke Report Abuse Don't even have an inspection here, but, did when I lived in Virginia and they enforced it. Sounds like you need to have a chat with your town council, or state legislature if it bothers you that much.
Vin63 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:1,840 Points:455,245 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 9:18:24 AM Ignore Vin63 Report Abuse Enforced in my area.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,721 Points:1,581,450 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:42:55 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse The problem with inspections, at least in my area, they excluded the older vehicles that should have been tested. The system was a joke. I'm happy its gone.
hornet17 Champion Author Vancouver Posts:1,323 Points:440,865 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:12:34 PM Ignore hornet17 Report Abuse emissions are enforced here
14smoke Champion Author Birmingham Posts:13,204 Points:1,924,165 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 3:54:22 PM Ignore 14smoke Report Abuse Since you're 1000 miles away from me and Alabama has no emissions testing, I'm thinking this might be something you might want to bring up with your state representative. Or were you just blowing off some steam here?
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,708 Points:1,328,375 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:01:07 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse They are not enforced, because the paperwork is too convoluted for the proper enforcement. I've seen cars with a smoke trail so bad that you get an oil sheen on your winshield, drive right by a parked law enforcement official - with no response ...
CactusBobs Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,730 Points:487,680 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:54:11 AM Ignore CactusBobs Report Abuse Veloman : Why is it when anyone makes a point that you might not agree with , people like you take it to an extreme ? did i say i wanted all pollution controls removed ? Sorry it not the 70's anymore All cars and trucks from year 1996 on have a built in system (OBD 2) to keep it's own emissions systems in check In case of a failure the system goes into a pre programed mode that is no fun to drive in , the car may stall or a whole list of other problems . at this point most people will take the car in for needed repairs , when done emissions are brought back into line So what we need to be testing are cars that are older than 16 years old , I don't know about you but I don't see a lot of them running around anymore . So why are we spending all this time and money inspecting cars that never fail ? MONEY , MONEY , MONEY lot's of it ! There is no reason for this to be going on , for all of us to be going through all that wasted time , gas and money for something most cars do on there own There is no reason the police cannot ticket a smoking car , or a car that's running rough or backfiring . This would be a targeted approach , costing nothing to 99.99% of the public , but still doing the same job .
psm80134 Champion Author Denver Posts:2,620 Points:539,970 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:36:21 AM Ignore psm80134 Report Abuse Veloman, In some states, if a vehicle fails emissions several times, and can provide an estimate that the cost of repairs to make it comply would exceed the value of the car (or some large number), the state will grant a one year waiver of the emissions test as a hardship to the owner.
bluenvoy Champion Author Nashville Posts:14,969 Points:1,875,915 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 8:19:03 AM Ignore bluenvoy Report Abuse You have to pass a test here every year with every vehicle you own to get you new license tags. So, they are enforced here.
veloman Sophomore Author Connecticut Posts:196 Points:4,430 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 2:34:24 AM Ignore veloman Report Abuse I live in TX now. Just because you don't drive your motorhome doesn't mean it's a bad idea to have emission regulations. Look at how bad air quality was in the 70s in many big cities. Thanks to improvements in technology and regulation, air is better, though it still has far to go before it's actually healthy to live/work near a busy road. I put my car through emissions testing when it's due, and it always passes. Takes about 1 hour a year or however often they send the notice out. Maybe we should just do away with all emission controls, people would save a few bucks a year and businesses could profit more....... too bad we'd kill ourselves off in a few generations.You should make sure you drive with your windows up and put your vent on recirculate and hope your car is not too drafty when driving in traffic. [Edited by: veloman at 4/3/2012 3:37:08 AM EST]
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,553 Points:2,380,205 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:00:17 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse They don't enforce it in CT?
CactusBobs Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,730 Points:487,680 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 2, 2012 7:22:28 PM Ignore CactusBobs Report Abuse Be careful what you wish for . we have such a program in Arizona and it costs us $$$$$ . we have to inspect "everything" motorhomes, motorcycles , new cars , old cars . and we have to pay for that inspection , wait in line ......for what ? my motorhome did not even go anywhere last year , except to the inspection station 20 miles away . how does that make the air clearer ?