Graham Wants Return of D.C. Car Safety Checks
What goes up may stay up at the mechanic's.
If you live in D.C., your next car inspection could be a little tougher.
Unsafe vehicles are apparently slipping through "inspection cracks," and D.C. Councilman Jim Graham wants to put the brakes on the problem, according to the Examiner.
He's thinking about introducing emergency legislation to resume mandatory safety inspections for cars.
The D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles stopped safety inspections in 2009 to cut costs. It worked. The city saved about $400,000. City officials also believed safety inspections did not impact traffic safety, based on studies done on the topic.
However, DMV employees said that many times they have to let severely damaged vehicles back on the road because they passed the emissions test, which is still mandatory.
The Examiner reports that workers had evidence to back their claim. They produced 30 photos that showed cars with smashed rearview mirrors, hydraulic line leaks and broken windshields. The rear bumper of one vehicle was held in place by duct tape, they said.
Graham said those vehicles should not be on the road.
Legislation to resume the safety inspections would likely be introduced in early April.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC4 Washington
