Some real bad news coming out of USC today — Researchers there say that the state estimate — 9,000 Californian deaths annually from air pollution-related diseases — could double or even triple.
Which got me thinking about all the cars I see on the road that spew tons of smoke. Whenever I spot those, I get pissed — and a little puzzled. I mean, don’t we have really tough emissions standards in California?
I checked out the DMV page on this — Apparently, smog checks aren’t required for cars that’re diesel-powered, 1975 year model or older, or really heavy (14,001 lbs.+). Electric and hybrid cars are exempt too, but that actually makes sense –
What to do? Well, you can report obnonxiously smoggy vehicles to the South Coast AQMD — the air pollution control agency for a big chunk of SoCal. Call AQMD at 800.CUT.SMOG or e-mail cut_smog@aqmd.gov with the car’s make and license number, along with the date, time and location of the observation.
Then, the AQMD says it’ll mail an advisory letter to the owners recommending repairs and letting ‘em know that excessively smoking vehicles can be fined $100 to $250. After making repairs, owners are asked to complete a Smoking Vehicle Compliance Form and return it to AQMD.
The good news: AQMD says more than 40% of the vehicle owners who get the letter return completed compliance forms to the AQMD. The bad: There don’t seem to be any kind of penalties for the owners that don’t do shit.
In fact, only the California Highway Patrol can cite and impose fines for vehicles for excessive smoke. Sadly, the CHP site has no info for reporting smoggy vehicles — Though they do offer a non-emergency number: 800.TELL.CHP.
I’ll try calling both the AQMD and the CHP the next time the car in front of me’s billowing so much smoke I can barely see where I’m going.
Last but not least — SoCalians know it’s way tough to get around town without a car — which is why even the poorest of Angelenos will make buying a car a priority — even if it’s a crappy one with horrid smog ratings. Unfortunately, stringent smog laws — while cleaning up the air — can be the harshest on the least priviledged.
One thing that might help: The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Consumer Assistance Program pays for up to $500 in smog related repairs or pays $1000 to ditch smoggy cars altogether. If you fail a smog check, check out the program to see if you qualify.
And lastly, for real now, some unrelated bad USC news — One lecturer bilked money from his students to spend it on show horses…
Another major factor contributing to the problem is that the system only catches those polluters who are IN THE SYSTEM. That means that by not allowing illegal immigrants to have driver’s licenses, the State also prevents them from participating in the system which is designed to catch heavy polluters (as well as make sure people are driving safely).
I can’t help thinking about the public school busses that I rode to high school every day that spewed tons of black smoke, polluting the lungs of the young riders as well as the air. It infuriates me so much.
Comment by aleta — March 27, 2006 @ 11:44 am
(just to clarify my stance on illegal immigrants, in case someone interperets my comment above as meaning that I’m against them being here – I feel they have every right to be here, my beef is with way they’re treated. I think allowing them to have drivers’ licenses will increase the level of safety training among drivers on the road as well as helping catch polluters.)
Comment by aleta — March 27, 2006 @ 11:51 am
but isn’t it really the big diesel trucks that contribute the most pollution? and the corporations of course.
sure everyone should be doing their part.
my same beef is with the emphasis on the individual in recycling instead of the industrial sources–my struggling to recycle every scrap of paper and not use an chlorine in my laundry soap–when huge industries are not recycling and dumping gobs of chlorine pales in comparison
Comment by Lisa — March 27, 2006 @ 8:29 pm
I wish there was a way to get rid of all those damn diesel trucks once and for all —
Aleta — Tots agree with you — We need to change our immigration laws so all drivers on the road can be legally driving. Otherwise, we develop really odd urban problems — I’ve had my registration sticker stolen off of my license plate a couple times, for ex…
Comment by Siel — March 27, 2006 @ 8:37 pm
Can you confirm that big rigs that get caught for the 3rd time exceeding the maximum allowable for smog numbers (i don’t even know what the limits are) are put out of business? Where can I find that law if it really exists?
Comment by Aaron — March 29, 2007 @ 6:17 pm
Have you tried contacting the DMV or AQMD people? They seem like the most logical people to contact with your Q.
Comment by Siel — March 30, 2007 @ 8:30 pm