Smokin’
The Better Half and I were out and about today. On our way home, we spotted this gross polluter motoring down the road. Somehow, I seriously doubt that this P.O.S. Ford Ranger passed the safety and emissions tests that Taxifornia requires.
What really pisses me off is that he may be perfectly legal under insane California law:
Statute § 44017. Cost limitations; Repair cost waiver; Failure to pass visible smoke test
(e) (1) No repair cost waiver shall be issued where a motor vehicle has failed the visible smoke test created by the department pursuant to Section 44012.1, unless paragraph (2) applies, or the vehicle is owned by a low-income person, as defined in Section 44062.1 in which case the repair cost limit applicable pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44017.1 shall apply.
(2) By January 1, 2008, the department shall adopt regulations allowing a repair cost waiver, with the repair cost limit specified in subdivision (a), where a motor vehicle has failed the visible smoke test component of a smog check inspection, for individuals under economic hardship but who do not meet the definition of low-income person, as defined in Section 44062.1. The regulations shall make eligible for the waiver those individuals whose household means fall below the level necessary to achieve a modest standard of living without assistance from public programs. The department shall consult authoritative information sources including, but not limited to, the United States Census Bureau, the Department of Finance, and the California Budget Project.
This isn’t the one-standard-applies-to-all California where I grew up.
Now, I could have reported this vehicle to the California EPA Air Resources Board where they have an on-line form. When I read what would be done as a result of my report, I said “Why bother?”
The owner of the vehicle will be sent a courtesy letter.
Thank you for helping improve air quality!
Right.
3 Responses to “Smokin’”
drjim on 10 Nov 2009 at 2144 #
Hmmmmm……lawnmowers in the back….any *guess* what nationality the owner is??
Linoge on 11 Nov 2009 at 0336 #
After reading through the rules and reuglations concerning emissions standards in Kalifornistan, and then having to go take in my brand-spanking-new Mazda 3 to be tested (where it barely even twitched the needle), I came to the conclusion that the whole emissions thing was pretty much identical to the whole recycling thing - a straight-up scam, operating under the color of law. But, if I did not make sure the right people got my money for no good reason, I would become a criminal, and my car would not be legal to drive.
Small wonder the state is auguring itself into the ground…
Minstrel on 11 Nov 2009 at 0655 #
It is quite common to see light pickup trucks loaded with lawnmowers and garden maintenance equipment putt-putting around with foul-smelling exhaust. When you add those to the many heavy trucks from south of the border that operate in the state that do NOT have to abide by pollution standards for U.S. cartage and you undoubtedly will find that the potential for pollution increases dramatically. The state’s solution for it? Increase the pollution controls for the rest of us.
California is doomed. I just hope we can get our affairs together and get out of here before we get sucked into the abyss.