Why is this allowed?! What do you think?
By crazynurse
@crazynurse (7482)
United States
June 1, 2007 3:06pm CST
Okay, so most of you know already that I loathe the place in which I am living. I long for the day that hubby retires and we can get out of this God-forsaken part of the country. Anyway, I moved from an area where one had to have their car inspected in order to take the car on the open road. Here, any dilapidated, rusted, oil-burning, rattle-trap is allowed on the road. We just had to sit in traffic for an hour because of a man's piece of sh!t vehicle that had broken down in a major intersection...blocking traffic. Now mind you, this caused ALL of us to burn gas, contribute to the greenhouse effect and more. I had been following the rattle trap which had dark black smoke billowing out of its exhaust area (notice I say 'area'...because there was not exhaust pipe!!) Two of the 4 windows were nothing but plastic sheeting duct-taped in place. There was no front or back bumper. I could go on. But you get the picture! Why is this allowed? Is this safe? Think about the effects on the environment? What are your thoughts? (sorry for the rant, I am starting to cool down now...)
13 people like this
27 responses
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
1 Jun 07
WOW!! I don't really know what the rules are here. The only thing I know for sure is that you have to take your vehicle (if it's more than five years old) in for an annual emissions test, but other than that I think anything goes...whereabouts do you live that is so bad?
4 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
1 Jun 07
A small town in eastern Kentucky. Hubby and I affectionately call it the 'cr0tch of the States.'
2 people like this
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I am not trying to step on your toes here. Maybe because that is all some people can afford to drive. I know that my car is not the best on gas and sometimes it blows white smoke but I can't afford any other vehicle right now. Just one guess..
3 people like this
@suscan (1955)
• United States
2 Jun 07
That is the reason many people drive older cars that are not up to par. They are not people who don't care about the environment. They are working people who have to get to where they are going (doctors appt,grocery stores, work) In many places there is no public transportation so they have to have a car and have the best one they can get.That is a good guess,that they may not be able to afford any other vehicle.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1 Jun 07
I used to consider mandatory safety inspections as government intrusion in our lives. Then I moved to a state that didn't require them... and haven't complained about them since!
3 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
1 Jun 07
That is EXACTLY what I feel too! I lived in North CArolina where safety inspection stickers on the car were mandatory. I remember DETESTING that intrusion into my personal life and also thinking that it was a money-making scheme. Boy has my thinking changed! Those who dislike inspections should come here to live for just a weeek or two!!
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I personally think that state inspections of vehicles that are on the roads should be mandatory in every state. It is mandatory here in West Virginia. It does help to keep those kinds of problems better under control. We acturally purchased our last car with the stipulation that they would inspect it for free each year. That will save us alot of money. It may not seem like much but it adds up. The car lot was glad to agree. I add weird things to my contract when I buy a car. LOL
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
1 Jun 07
What a great idea!!! Wish I had thought of that when I was living in N.C. and had to have my vehicle inspected yearly! Kudos!
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
Well there are certian things a vehicle myust have no matter what part of the country you are in they must have working breaks, turn signals adn brake lights, head lights must work they also must have an exhaust system on them that gets it out from under the vehicle. unless it is a farm vehicle then it will require a permit. Also in every province adn most states a vehicle cannot have excessive eghast that the tail lights adn license plate become obcured or invisible for times.
2 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Most all the license plates here are taped into the back windows because of the horrid condition of the backs of the vehicles! Exhaust pipes are pretty much non-existant too! Eastern Kentucky is very behind the times!
2 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
1 Jun 07
that is what it was like in the state from which I moved. I now think that is the better of teh two posssibilities!
2 people like this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
wow her ei know the police will pull vehicles off the road if they look unsafe or for things liek that u have 30 days to fix or they fine ya next time adn tow vehicle until it is repaired.
1 person likes this
@MJLami (1173)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Are you sure that car was legally registered? I have only lived in a few states (all on the eastern side) but I have not seen that even here, which I think is far behind the times in many, many respects. In CT we had emissions testing, here they do what they call an inspection but it's just for shady auto repair shops to make you spend money. Once you learn which ones those are and find better ones to go to you only pay the inspection fee, not charges for things you've never heard of they will not pass you for if you don't give them what they want. I would be just as angry as you no doubt. That car should not have been on the road and why is it law enforcement are never around to prevent stuff like that, only after the fact when the damage is done?
3 people like this
@rosebug23 (1906)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
I am shocked to hear that cars like that are allowed on the roads they are accidents waiting to happen.Here in Aust' we have very strict rules and often find the police setting up road blocks and giving all cars road worthy tests.I personally cannot understand people driving cars like this ,i know cars are expensive but it must cost heaps to run cars like this not to mention the effects they must have to the enviroment and the saftey issuses
2 people like this
@suscan (1955)
• United States
2 Jun 07
I have been that person you are so angry at, of course my car was and is not today in that bad of shape. But I have broken down and tied up traffic. Obviously many people who have older cars are not out to further damage the environment but due to circumstances they can not afford a newer car . My Mother had a good story,when we were younger they had an older car, she had all eight of us and 2 cousins with us(before seatbelt rules)and she broke down. A car was sitting behind her blowing his horn yelling get that old car off the road. My Mom walked back after about fifteen minutes of this abuse and said why don't you go up and sit with the kids and I will blow your horn for you. I have been fortunate when I have broken down that people were kind enough to offer me help.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
In Australia that wouldn't happen. Each year before we register our vehicle it has to have an inspection. Everything is checked to make sure everything works. Even a battered body won't get passed. You can have things repaired and go back but if it doesn't compy...shrug. I lived in another state a couple of years ago and there are no inspections there. Somtimes you'll see a defective vehicle but the coppers and RTA (road and transport authority) will get these vehicles off the road pronto. Or sooner. LOL.
2 people like this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
3 Jun 07
Over here, usually if a car was that bad and police saw it, it would get a defect sticker, which means it has to be taken of the road until it is fixed and then before it can go back on the road it has to be inspected. I don't know how anyone can drive a car that bad though.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Jun 07
I am sorry but I really can't resist a one-word answer here.
LIFE.
2 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
2 Jun 07
It's amazing how states differ in their auto laws isn't it? Someday maybe the government will get it's act together and all of the cars that are like what you described will be off the road for good. Between the environment and other drivers having to put up with what you did that guy is lucky he was allowed to drive away and not the victim of road rage.
2 people like this
@tredale (1309)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
Im sorry you had such a bad day, Anything that cause more greenhouse gases needs to be addressed and I am a greenie at heart. I think that a lot more has to be done about emition laws and fast. Break downs are common here to and the build up of traffic is frustrating.
2 people like this
@GreatHype (3)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Thats stupid, I don't think I've ever seen a car like that. The van I drive emits a lot of exhaust smoke when idling for a long time but thats about it, and it never breaks down. The should start that rule and also have a rule that if you can't go the speed limit you shouldn't be able to drive.
2 people like this
@mom2chriskel (1060)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I really think that those kinds of vehicles shouldn't be allowed. I think all states should have mandatory yearly inspections. I live in Pennsylvania and we have mandatory inspections and that vehicle would never have passed. I have a feeling when we get a president in who cares about our future a lot of people will be carless which could be a good thing.
Sorta goes along with the insurance....some states don't require you have car insurance which I think is stupid! I think that should be mandatory as well.
2 people like this
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
This is not allowed in my area. The cops will routinely pull cars off the road if they're unsafe. I got a huge ticket for have a dirty license plate. Those kinds of unsafe vehicles shouldn't be allowed on the road, I agree with you.
2 people like this
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
2 Jun 07
hey, its really just as bad here in south africa. in our town image is everything so all the people break their backs to pay for new cars. but...only an hours drive is a town called brakpan. roughly translated,it would mean dog,mut and pan or lake. the cars are all 80s or older. they feel so proud to drive a 70s ford cortina or a passat stationwagon. not forgetting the bubbling cloudy gasses at the back,middle and front. i saw a pick up truck the other day on the highway. the chassis of the whole thing was skew. it drove crab like. and guess who got pulled over? me. i think its just a corrupt system.
2 people like this
@RenaeT (681)
• United States
2 Jun 07
That's terrible! Where on earth do you live that they let that go on? Aren't there smog inspections and safety laws? Sometimes, I don't understand our society. We have people who race down our street at 50 MPH and the limit is 25 . . .but the cops never stop them. Then, my husband goes 29 in a 20 and gets a stupid ticket!!! Go figure.
@arianasmum (223)
• New Zealand
1 Jun 07
wow can I move there? lol I live in new zealand and every six months we have to pay 40 dollars to have our vechiles inspected its called a (wof) for road safety and if it dont pass and you dont get a sticker its not aloud on the road they check tyres brakes lights etc it just road worthy and its all vechiles on matter how old they are.
2 people like this
