California Crackdown on Modified Cars
08-08-2005 | 09:59 PM
#1
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California Crackdown on Modified Cars
California Crackdown on Modified Cars
$5 million in federal money will fund a Sacramento, California effort to stop drivers in modified cars.
Police in Sacramento, California announced Wednesday that they would use $5 million in federal money to begin cracking down on auto enthusiasts who modify their vehicles. The money will be used to form an undercover "Drag-Net" unit to stop motorists who appear to be driving modified cars.
The concept, which originated in San Diego in 2001, has been ing throughout the state and generated significant revenue for the California Highway Patrol and local departments. In Santa Fe Springs, for example, twelve officers on Drag-Net duty issued 300 citations and impounded 50 vehicles in just one weekend. Several cities have drag-racing ordinances that allow police to auction off seized cars and keep the profits.
Under Drag-Net, San Diego officers come to train other departments how to look out for what they believe to be tell-tale signs of illegal modification such as window tinting, large spoilers, extra gauges or racing stickers. Police say this gives them probable cause to stop and inspect a vehicle and its engine compartment.
In practice, "excessive exaust noise" tickets are the most common violation. California law does not require police to measure sound levels objectively. Instead, according to the California Highway Patrol, the "citation is based on officer's judgment."
Drivers of stock vehicles that come from the factory with some of the characteristics of modified cars have experienced harassment under this provision. One such motorist complained on an enthusiast website that the Calfiornia Highway Patrol was using these programs to make "driving while Asian" a crime, pointing out that the department's own website has several pages dedicated to Asian involvement in street racing and "vehicle modification."
Those receiving a vehicle modification "fix-it" ticket must visit a California Bureau of Automobile Repair office and pay a $35 fee to have their car inspected. If the car fails, a judge can impose another fine of up to $2000 for failing to meet California emissions requirements.
$5 million in federal money will fund a Sacramento, California effort to stop drivers in modified cars.
Police in Sacramento, California announced Wednesday that they would use $5 million in federal money to begin cracking down on auto enthusiasts who modify their vehicles. The money will be used to form an undercover "Drag-Net" unit to stop motorists who appear to be driving modified cars.
The concept, which originated in San Diego in 2001, has been ing throughout the state and generated significant revenue for the California Highway Patrol and local departments. In Santa Fe Springs, for example, twelve officers on Drag-Net duty issued 300 citations and impounded 50 vehicles in just one weekend. Several cities have drag-racing ordinances that allow police to auction off seized cars and keep the profits.
Under Drag-Net, San Diego officers come to train other departments how to look out for what they believe to be tell-tale signs of illegal modification such as window tinting, large spoilers, extra gauges or racing stickers. Police say this gives them probable cause to stop and inspect a vehicle and its engine compartment.
In practice, "excessive exaust noise" tickets are the most common violation. California law does not require police to measure sound levels objectively. Instead, according to the California Highway Patrol, the "citation is based on officer's judgment."
Drivers of stock vehicles that come from the factory with some of the characteristics of modified cars have experienced harassment under this provision. One such motorist complained on an enthusiast website that the Calfiornia Highway Patrol was using these programs to make "driving while Asian" a crime, pointing out that the department's own website has several pages dedicated to Asian involvement in street racing and "vehicle modification."
Those receiving a vehicle modification "fix-it" ticket must visit a California Bureau of Automobile Repair office and pay a $35 fee to have their car inspected. If the car fails, a judge can impose another fine of up to $2000 for failing to meet California emissions requirements.
08-08-2005 | 10:11 PM
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"In practice, "excessive exaust noise" tickets are the most common violation. California law does not require police to measure sound levels objectively. Instead, according to the California Highway Patrol, the "citation is based on officer's judgment."" THose laws are about to go away, it's been declared unconstitutional in a couple states (MI for one)sema will get involved and alot of that should end, but what they are doing is taking aim at illegal mods (removing emissions controls) and using the other stuff to stop (like I have said with alot of add on parts that aren't dot approved) I know if I got stopped for an appearance mod that is legal (say a spoiler) I would be taking someone to court (very few young people do that, they do have to have just cause, and it must be valid)
08-09-2005 | 12:11 AM
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So basically I cant go to cali I mean I have 3800 stickers and the exhaust is loud and the blackouts....wow this is just stuipd what about all the kids on there bikes and harleys how unfair can ya get?
08-09-2005 | 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by SlvrV6Camaro
So basically I cant go to cali I mean I have 3800 stickers and the exhaust is loud and the blackouts....wow this is just stuipd what about all the kids on there bikes and harleys how unfair can ya get?
08-09-2005 | 12:33 AM
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That **** is unconstitutional.
I wonder how the Bank would feel if I am just driving down the street, obeying all the laws, and all of a sudden my car is impounded for exhaust, or a license plate border on the license plate?
Seems more beneficial to just run from those bastards, either way, your car is lost.
I wonder how the Bank would feel if I am just driving down the street, obeying all the laws, and all of a sudden my car is impounded for exhaust, or a license plate border on the license plate?
Seems more beneficial to just run from those bastards, either way, your car is lost.
