Tucked into the Governor’s transportation package is a relatively little item that is shortsighted. He is proposing to eliminate the requirement for an annual vehicle inspection. This idea has been floated before, but defeated.
One justification offered is financial. The argument seems to be that the elimination of this requirement will result in savings for drivers that will help offset the proposed increased increase in the gas tax. The fee for the annual inspection cannot exceed $20, and inspection stations can charge less. A savings of $20 per year is not going to matter to many people.
The Governor also seeks to justify the elimination by pointing out that studies show no correlation between safety and inspections. I have heard this argument before and, while I have not seen the studies, I have no reason to doubt them, other than my own experience.
Years ago, when my finances were tight, I would often ride on bald tires. I probably would not have bought new tires until I had a blowout, endangering myself and others, if I had not had to do so in order to get my car passed so I could continue driving it legally. Worn brake shows or disc pads were another common problem.
Most people can tell when the tire treads are worn or their brakes are squeaky, but the annual inspections can detect more subtle problems that can pose just as much danger, such as worn ball joints and worn bushings in the steering mechanism.
Of course, there is no reason why car owners cannot take their cars voluntarily into their mechanics annually for such inspections, and I will do so, even if the annual inspection requirement is repealed. But, without being required to do so, most people, even those who are well-meaning, will put such chores off, sometimes indefinitely.
I understand that new cars likely do not need annual inspections right away and I could support exempting a brand new car from the annual inspection for two years after purchase. But, there are a lot of older vehicles on the highways (including mine). I like knowing that my car and truck have been deemed safe and especially knowing that vehicles I meet on the highway also have met minimum standards of safety. Twenty dollars per year is not too much to pay for this assurance.
