Bill would scrap NC vehicle safety inspections

[struggle4progress]

By Laura Leslie
Posted: 6:20 p.m. today
Updated: 7:19 p.m. today

Raleigh, N.C. — ... North Carolina is one of 18 states, along with the District of Columbia, to mandate the inspections, but House Bill 59 would scrap the requirement.

Some lawmakers say the move would cut back on bureaucracy and save drivers a little money. About 8 million cars and trucks are inspected each year, and the safety portion accounts for $13.60 of the $30 cost for an annual vehicle inspection, which also includes a check of the emissions system ...

The House Transportation Committee is expected to debate the proposal next Tuesday, but many drivers and mechanics say they would like to keep the inspections.

"I think it's a small price to pay to make sure that people are driving vehicles that are in good working order and they're not going to create some sort of safety problem for everybody else," driver Jennipher Swanner said ...

http://www.wral.com/bill-would-scrap-nc-vehicle-safety-inspections/12141342/

[madville]

1. We don't have inspections here

Not really a huge issue, I'm sure the mechanics would be disappointed, probably generates a bunch of business getting people in compliance.

If people still want an inspection I'm sure they could have it done without it being mandated by the state.

[babylonsister]

2. GA doesn't have them. TX does, so I was

happily surprised when I moved. But you do see some beaters around here...

[longship]

3. I don't like them.

They cost much more than just the license fee. In CA, where these are required, a whole industry of private inspection facilities has sprung up. They make money on the inspections and subsequent repairs.

Some people drive old vehicles because they cannot afford to buy new ones. My car is 17 years old. It drives nicely and has no problems that I know of. But it would likely not pass one of these safety inspections.

Some of us cannot afford to go to a car dealer and buy the latest and greatest, or even a recent model. I bought my latest car last autumn, a 17 year old Volvo four cylinder (of which I am very familiar) which cost just over $1,500. I saved for it for six months and paid cash.

I am glad MI does not have mandatory inspections. The good they do is not worth the cost to people who are hard up to make ends meet.

[struggle4progress]

4. I forget the maximum inspection fee here, but it's not that high: $25 mebbe

[longship]

7. Plus, the unnecessary repairs that the inspection shop trumps up.

It is a system ripe for abuse, all for little to no advantage.

[struggle4progress]

8. I don't have problems. I go to mechanics I trust. If I think somebody's trying to stiff me,

I take my business elsewhere

[Turbineguy]

5. It doesn't make sense

to spend money on car safety inspections when you arm drivers to the teeth. Besides, on their own, safer cars mean less mayhem on the roads. Surely this is against republican death cult values.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. $29 a year down the drain.

Get rid of them, everywhere.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. imho these so called inspections have

ALWAYS BEEN A SCAM! I have never had a car actually inspected, I have had a piece of paper handed to me after giving away my money to a variety of so called inspectors who have charged me anywhere from $45 to $15 for a so called inspection where they wasted minutes of my life and took my money. Good riddance. Now if the Republicans could figure out a way to capitalize on these so called inspections think again.

Love, Peace and Shelter. lmsp

[littlewolf]

10. interesting. around here they actually inspect the vehicle.

put it on the lift. check the breaks, check the tires, lights, turn signals
and more, have never had anything "trumped up" I sorta like
making sure that cars are minimally safe.