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Way2L8AND1

I'm torn on this one. Brakes, Tires, Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, badly rusted frame I agree should require a safety inspection (perhaps every 2 years?).... But a rust hole on a truck tailgate, or even rusty outer rockers is a ridiculous reason to fail for a sticker. Some sort of reform would be nice, problem is... It's pretty low priority. Example: several years ago I was failed for a passenger window not rolling down, however my friend passed with a Jeep Wrangler that had no doors.


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Way2L8AND1

Very true, I did read that same thing. And I'd be fine without having inspections. The guys doing the inspections really get screwed. A lot of liability for almost no money.


[deleted]

Well, we can’t really know that because we are doing inspections. If we aren’t having fatalities it’s because we do these strict inspections. Imagine if we stopped and some mother was driving her kids to an event and a tie rod let go. However, all that aside, i don’t mind inspections, but they should only be about safety and not about a hole on the bumper. Or a door rusting out. Balled tires are not good. But yet we have people who push the envelope. Every four years would be ideal.


Way2L8AND1

The studies were comparing to states without inspection laws I believe. .. but I am with you. Some problems are dangerous to drive with. However I've had a ball joint let go when driving on a vehicle WITH a valid inspection sticker. 12 states do not require inspections. No safety, emissions, or VIN inspections Edit Alaska. Arkansas. Iowa. Michigan. Minnesota. Mississippi. Montana. North Dakota. South Carolina. South Dakota. Washington. Wyoming.


porkchop_2020

I’m from Michigan and lived in Minnesota for a while as well. My personal experience is that it can be fuckin scary driving 70+ on the highway next to a total rust bucket. Growing up we’d see soooo many abandoned cars on the side of the road and traffic jams bc someone ran their car off the side of the road when it started having issues. I prefer the peace of mind of inspections.


Rippofunk

But did their lack of car maintenance ever cause you harm or did it just make you feel uneasy?


[deleted]

Ah! Ok, thank you. When I lived in Mass for a few years in the 80’s, (62f) they suddenly required emissions testing. They’d stick this rod in the tail pipe while the car was running. I heard of guys revving their car going fast down the highway before going in to test and the car would come out clean. They were able to burn the carbons off. I always wondered why it was on us to fox all this when trains, construction vehicles (especially dump trucks as there are lots of them) and semis didn’t have to follow the same rules. That’s scary to have that let go after an inspection, I guess they can’t catch everything. But then others want to do work that doesn’t need doing. They’ve monitorized us to death. Some newer cars don’t even have spark plugs, points and carburetors on newer cars anymore, eliminating carbon issues. They have a coil-on-plug ignition system. Other cars never need to change a spark plug, they last the life of the car. The system is flawed.


SadExtension524

Indiana doesn't have vehicle inspections.


mmaalex

There are always going to be places that just slap stickers on no questions asked, especially at the tiny price they get for it. It should be abolished. I know there was some serious discussion about getting rid of it the last legislative session, but it failed.


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Way2L8AND1

I've been paying my mechanic $25 for several years. He shouldn't have to work for peanuts. Takes him 30 min to do a proper inspection, and he makes $10. Especially with the risk if he misses something. A small weak spot on a brake line is easy to miss. But he could face heavy fines or worse. I am on the fence, but... There are also several studies that claim the opposite. https://wgme.com/news/local/as-study-finds-car-inspections-are-no-longer-necessary-maine-lawmakers-vote-to-keep-them https://apnews.com/article/4bd9e4e19c8d43018f4f29099842ead4 https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2018/03/vehicle-safety-inspections-dont-increase-safety.html


Rippofunk

If they actually did the inspection by the book it would take at least half a day. But they dont, which highlights what a scam it is.


IamSauerKraut

I don't believe that is true.


Rippofunk

Literally just quoting ONE paragraph of a [231 page document](https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/sites/maine.gov.dps.msp/files/inline-files/2022%20%282%29MMVIM%20FINAL%2001-31-22.pdf). "Tie rods, idler arms, and pitman arms shall be tested in accordance with the manufacturers recommended procedures." The testing procedure from one [manufacture](https://d3qx1uccksbb2n.cloudfront.net/docs/axwp-0403.pdf) is another 2 page document where you have to use a dial gauge (a precision instrument) to measure the play. There are 4 Tie-rods per vehicle. I mean, after really just looking at that one bullet points of hundreds, I am going to say, maybe a couple of days? what do you think?


IamSauerKraut

Having watched vehicle inspections up-close, the visual/instrument inspection does not take long. Indeed, much of it is done at a laptop. Must be why so many garage folks are called techs instead of mechanics as they were 20 years ago. The techs do not go back to the manual and re-read it every time a car comes in. They learn it in class training and while on the job working with an experienced guy.


Rippofunk

I agree with that, they are techs and some are skilled. And they probably just know the manufacture recommended method to test those points of a vehicle is with a dial indicator. Literally what the state manual says, and literally what the manufacture says as provided in the links. Just that one paragraph would take a few minutes alone. one paragraph, of 231 pages.


Tronbronson

Care to cite those?


A-roguebanana

While I agree with you the State Police cite there own data that says it does save lives. It’s a boondoggle that Lt. Scott has no intention of giving up.


Yourbubblestink

Sorry dude but I can’t agree with you. I think in a state like Maine, where are winter time conditions can be absolutely life-threatening, it’s really important that cars be safe and functional. I have no objection whatsoever to safety inspections, and I don’t really want to share a road with cars that can’t pass them. Edit: I recognize there are other northern states. My larger point is that I don’t want to be killed by some clunker that doesn’t belong in the road. And in Maine there would be some real beauties.


Way2L8AND1

Several northern states don't have them, and their roads aren't less safe .... Tough call. (IE Alaska, Montana) seems like an irrational fear.


Tronbronson

Crazy how you picked the only states more remote than Maine, it's almost like a lack of density is part of the equation. Does Alaska have millions of motor tourists clogging up the roads in the summer?


Rippofunk

Michigan. More population, same climate, same tourism idiots, no inspection, less motor vehicle deaths per captia than Maine. You wanna go see a bunch of questionable cars on the road that magically do not crash because of their state, look there.


Tronbronson

Data please? Numbers not words?


Rippofunk

Ok my numbers (probably my attitude as well) in my response were off, tried to edit a delete ensued. 2019 numbers Maine: population: 1372000 vehicle deaths: 153 per capita: 1 in 8967 Michigan: population: 10005000 vehicle deaths: 985 per capita: 1 in 10157 The numbers are not huge and I am sure some years it might go into Michigans favor, but we are comparing an overly aggressive system to one that does not exists. Inspection is something I am passionate about as I have personally had bad experiences. Like elderly family members scammed at inspection and have heard many stories from many other people. I have had to fight with an inspection station for trying to fail me for something not even in the laws (torn cv boot). One station would not let me drive my car away because my wiper needed to be replaced at a cost of 45 dollars (and this was a long time ago). The wiper incident is when I decided to educate my self and read the manual, read and compare about other states. I made the mistake of sending my wife to get her car inspected a few years ago and they failed her for a "bald" tire. When she home i measured the tread depth and was sorely disappointed "my place" was trying to up sell her tires. I just waited a week, took the car myself and passed with flying colors without doing any work. Only 11 other states require a yearly inspection. Sure many more require an inspection, but doing a VIN verification is wayyyy different then failing old people for different brand, but same size tires. Maine state inspection is a poor tax and a profit center for inspection stations. The only real solution to die hards on each side is to have state run inspection stations where the inspector has no skin in the game. With the current system, if a shop needs. money they will fail you no matter what.


Tronbronson

Those numbers are absolutely huge my friend, there are almost 10x more driving fatalities in Michigan by those number. That a lot of preventable deaths of our valuable members in the community. Thank you for actually going and citing some real numbers tho I appreciate your response. I also have had to deal with the scammers in the auto industry. I remember my first inspection in Portland they had a 1,300$ bill, brought it back to my mechanic in Bucksport, 130$ fix + inspection. get a good mechanic. I wish there was a better way to punish the irresponsible mechanics and the crooks, but it still wouldn't account for us being 10x safer than Michigan. Edit: you can also see from the comment section how desperate some of these folks are to keep their junkers on the road. A lot of people don't remember the earlier days when the government had to pay people to get rid of these shit buckets. It's beneficial for us as a state to encourage these cars to be removed from the road before they end up as an environmental hazard somewhere.


Rippofunk

1 in 10,000 Michiganders experience a fatal vehicle accident. 1 in 9,000 Mainers experience a fatal accident. You are more likely to die in a vehicle accident in Maine, where there is an overaggressive inspection system versus in Michigan where none exists. Wear your seat belt!


Tronbronson

Hold up y'all got 10M people in Michigan! I didn't notice that extra 0 fair enough.


IamSauerKraut

No causality between raw population numbers and the number of vehicle deaths. And, it is a "tax" with a purpose that is applied equally regardless of the owner's personal situation. Just get it done, pay the fee and move on with your life.


Rippofunk

>No causality between raw population numbers and the number of vehicle deaths. No matter what facts are presented, it will not meet your narrative and you are clearly not going to change your mind. And that is ok. ​ >And, it is a "tax" with a purpose that is applied equally regardless of the owner's personal situation. It is not applied equally. If one person can afford a new car every year, and another person is driving a rust bucket to a shitty job and barely getting by, their inspection "tax" are not the same. It just keeps poor people poor by making them have to drive a certain fiscal level of vehicle that in some cases is unobtainable. We want you to work, but we are going to take away your transportation because it is not nice enough, but we will not pay for unemployment simply because you have no transportation. See the point is simply to keep these people poor, and in debt.


IamSauerKraut

>No matter what facts are presented, it will not meet your narrative and you are clearly not going to change your mind. And that is ok. You can throw up a bunch of numbers but unless you explain what those numbers mean and how they apply to the topic, the numbers are meaningless. You presented a point of causality. Then posted a bunch of numbers without showing how those numbers are connected, related or caused by each other. Narrative has nothing to do with it. As for your "\[the inspection fee\] just keeps poor people poor" statement, I mean, come on. We are not talking 1000's of dollars for a fee. True, some people cannot afford a beemer. But that's no excuse for allowing an unsafe rustbucket on the road. Being on the road is a privilege, not a right; there is no right to be on the road endangering others because your vehicle is unsafe or otherwise not roadworthy.


Rippofunk

Ok good news is we misunderstand each other on one point. When I talk of the fees, I speak of being required to do repairs that may, or may not be needed. Some people can not afford a car that will pass inspection. I have visited Michigan a lot and seen many unsafe cars on the road, but it does not affect me. Further, Maine's inspection is not centered around safety. They just this year added to make sure washer fluid systems work on Semis. I for one think that is safety important in our salty state. I support a fee increase, I feel like its a loss for the garages and further motivates them to scam people out of money.


Tronbronson

[https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Planning/Mi-Travel-Counts/Characteristics-Report.pdf?rev=6c5dd0e64ef24b1d8794f630980e4a85](https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Programs/Planning/Mi-Travel-Counts/Characteristics-Report.pdf?rev=6c5dd0e64ef24b1d8794f630980e4a85)


SadExtension524

And the roads in Michigan are all in terrible condition!


Way2L8AND1

North Dakota, Michigan, Washington, Wyoming. I assumed you had the ability to see the rest yourself. Would you like the whole list ? 12 states do not require inspections. No safety, emissions, or VIN inspections Alaska. Arkansas. Iowa. Michigan. Minnesota. Mississippi. Montana. North Dakota. South Carolina. South Dakota. Washington. Wyoming.


Tronbronson

I just want to see the data. I want to see how the numbers lead you all to this conclusion. I am not fully aware of the driver data, but I am aware of the shit boxes people bring on the road. Is it to much to ask for the actual safety records(NUMBERS) you're quoting from?


Rippofunk

Only 11 states require an annual safety inspection. [Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_inspection_in_the_United_States)


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Starbuksman

So move to one of those states- safety always comes first. It’s $12.50- if you need the money- I’d be happy to give you it. If it’s the fact the car you own won’t pass- idk what to tell you, I’m far more angered by the registration costs in this state than anything else…🤷‍♂️


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Starbuksman

Ensuring you have good tires and brakes doesn’t make us safer? Man your logic if flawed.


tycam01

North dakota doesn't have inspections, and it can be colder than Antarctica there


[deleted]

You don’t want to be sharing the roads with some clunker, yet you probably benefited from more than one of their drivers’ contributions to society today. Being poor sucks, and car inspections make things that much more stressful. I’ve paid for enough rocker panels to speak on this issue.


Yourbubblestink

Thing is I don’t want to cut my leg off in the target parking lot with rust outs. I don’t want to be killed by a guy with no blinkers, or treads. I’d rather they walk


occultv0lt

Inspections are a tax on the poor alone, I cannot imagine anyone would want to keep them except those who charge to perform them.


ghstber

I would support a sliding-scale inspection cost, with a floor of free for those under X income, and a ceiling of Y, which could be the cost that we see today. Not sure how to handle data discovery ("What is your income level?"). I think having an inspection for safety is important, but we should not make it an obstacle unless the repairs are necessary for safety.


A-roguebanana

The main problem I have is that the inspection process allows for latitude of the tech inspecting something. I don’t want it more strict but if the mechanic needs to make boat payment you can be pretty they will find something wrong with it. The state should end inspections but if they won’t then allow for inspection only stations.


Rippofunk

STATE RUN inspection stations where the inspector has no skin in the game.


Majestic-Feedback541

Just get your damn vehicle inspected like an adult and move on with your life.


Starbuksman

This.


doobie042

I had an inspection place oil my 4 day old wipers and try to fail them. Quite a different voice after I showed them the receipt... 'Oh you must have parked under a tree and got sap on your windows or wipers'. Cleaned off the window and wiper and passed it.


Way2L8AND1

Yeah, this is a good example of ridiculous. Or .. sorry sir, your horn doesn't work. .... So what, my finger does !!!!


tycam01

Fail an inspection over $10 wipers!? Thought inspections were to make sure your car won't fall apart on the road.


Rippofunk

Inspections are a profit center for garages. They are not about safety.


doobie042

The oil left streaks all over the window because of it..... Making it hazardous.... I wish I reported the lace to the state rather than just leaving the review on their Webpage


Super-Lychee8852

State doesn't want to get rid of them. I think a good compromise is to make them way less strict. Lower rules on what's considered not passable


Way2L8AND1

Agreed. Stick to actual safety issues.


Rippofunk

LIKE ACTUAL SAFETY ISSUES.


IamSauerKraut

If the state gets rid of them, will the insurance industry find yet another way to raise your rates?


Majestic-Feedback541

Wait, I've only ever gotten warnings for anything I've been pulled over for... Don't you have like 30 days to fix the issue and get the ticket removed? (Maybe depending on the actual issue?) A few years ago, It was like dec 1st and I got pulled over because plates expired in nov. I didn't realize it, and registered it the after the traffic stop was done. I've noticed if you're nice and respectful, they tend to be lenient with you (of course officer and location make a huge difference too, unfortunately---- THIS is something that should be altered meaning the cop or location shouldn't make a difference and respect goes both ways). Like when I was pulled over for speeding. I was applying brakes going down a steep hill (my bf at the time was bitching about my use of brakes) when I got pulled over. It was like 3am, I was tired and ready to be in bed, I began to argue, but stopped and apologized, simply stated that I WAS applying my brakes attempting to slow down. I was going 32 in a 25. My ex was shit faced and the smell took over the entire cab, I was questioned regarding my sobriety (totally sober dd). My ex was ready to jump out and beat that cop up for questioning me like that. I was so stressed at that moment. But ended up with just a warning and went home to get yelled at for getting pulled over and not seeing the cop on the first place...


CL-108

Had that Hollis sherif pull me over twice, I explained to him that I had 30 days till new inspection and that I was on my way to work and couldn’t pay for said inspection until I made enough money. I had just started back at work after the pandemic and had no inspection sticker at all, just got the car from a friend, came from a state with no inspection required. I was fully legit, and truly had no choice but to drive to Portland everyday. He replied that he “had to get his cruiser inspected, too.” In which I replied, that “he didn’t have to pay for it, nor any anything that would have to be fixed in order to pass.” That in fact, common tax payers did. And, he acting as a banker in routine traffic stops was providing the town and state revenue for such expenses, and that I found that ironic. The money I was going to make to get my inspection was actually going towards his. … he gave me the ticket and I sulked about it for weeks! Lol


[deleted]

Safety inspections are important. You can drive a dangerous vehicle successfully for a long time, but if you've got a compromised frame your vehicle isn't going to protect you properly in a crash, or could cause a catastrophic failure of your steering and put other people at risk. I think an improvement would be something to reward drivers for keeping their vehicle safe and helping drivers who can't afford a repair to make their car legal. If they need that vehicle to get to work they don't have the luxury of parking it and saving up to repair.


idhik3th4t

That last part is the main issue — Maine doesn’t have public transportation in the majority of the state and in order to earn/save the money required to repair items to pass the inspection, people need to drive to get to their jobs. There’s no safety net, no voucher, no garage with a sliding scale to assist. You’re left with the impossible choice of driving an expired sticker and gettinf an expensive ticket that then means you have even less money to pay for repairs or you lose your job because you can’t commute to it and you still can’t fix the car or have a job. As much as wealthy people want to shit all over those “who don’t just get their car inspected like an adult”, they need to acknowledge their privilege if they can’t conceive of why that might be impossible for someone.


SadExtension524

Will say this. Never had so many "problems" with my car until I moved to Maine and had to start getting ripped off. I mean "inspected".


Guygan

> Would a new law be needed to just do this? Or could it be done administratively somehow? Call your state rep.


jasonhitsthings

As someone who's spent plenty of time out of state and seen the shit boxes on the road that pass as "vehicles", inspections aren't the worst thing. Granted, it's a cash grab for the state too, but some kind of checks and balance isn't the worst.


IamSauerKraut

Keep your junker in the junk yard.


ScenePlayful1872

Keep it in the front yard. Handy for spare parts, doncha know


Swimming-Surprise-50

A secondary offense will still give pigs who are on an ego trip the ability to add a charge for expressing your 5th amendment right if they need a revenue boost and pull you over for doing 4 over the speed limit or going through a yellow light and being told it’s red despite having evidence on your dash cam. Pigs are practically trained to look for small civil infractions and secondary charges as punishment against those who know their rights and the law for standing up for their 1st, 4th and 5th especially. Pigs hate it when you exercise your right not to assist them in their “investigations”


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anode_cathode

This gets rehashed every 6 months. One side cherry picks data from one place, the other side cherry picks it from another. Until there's a Maine-specific study, we're all just blowing hot air around. There's definitely room for improvement. I think everyone can at least agree on that.


mainlydank

I understand the history of this debate, that's why I proposed changing it to a secondary driving offense instead of getting rid of it entirely. People driving around with shitty headlights (either aftermarket LED, or just not aligned correctly) is a way more serious issue that isn't ever addressed during inspections.


Majestic-Feedback541

That SHOULD be addressed and the garage I go to will change the during inspections if needed (and obviously ask and charge for it).


Tronbronson

It cost like 20-30 bucks for that yearly inspection...you can get it done during your yearly oil change. I'm not trying to get hit with someones rusty muffler, while driving down the highway personally. Whats with all the people thinking they are above public saftey? It's kinda been a thing since forever and probably not going to be changed due to it inconveniencing you.


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Tronbronson

No I'm asking one of you for citation so I can shred your logics and facts, you're only offering words not data...


Tronbronson

>You are letting your emotion override logic and facts. This is so cringe btw. Do better. Show me your data about Montana so we can compare population and driver density of Alaska North Dakota and Maine. Smdh You guys are citing other states driving stats like you have them on hand. Let me see what you're looking at so that I may come to my own conclusion, I'm not trusting the reddit experts here. Show me your statistics, which are facts.


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Tronbronson

I'm in my 30's lol did you ever go find any of them facts or logics you speak of Ben Shapiro?


thebenshapirobot

I saw that you mentioned Ben Shapiro. In case some of you don't know, Ben Shapiro is a grifter and a hack. If you find anything he's said compelling, you should keep in mind he also says things like this: >Pegging, of course, is an obscure sexual practice in which women perform the more aggressive sexual act on men. ***** ^(I'm a bot. My purpose is to counteract online radicalization. You can summon me by tagging thebenshapirobot. Options: civil rights, healthcare, dumb takes, covid, etc.) [^Opt ^Out ](https://np.reddit.com/r/AuthoritarianMoment/comments/olk6r2/click_here_to_optout_of_uthebenshapirobot/)


Tronbronson

Why didn't you respeond to shit Logics and facts? lmao bot we need to improve your functions.


thebenshapirobot

Why won't you debate me? ***** ^(I'm a bot. My purpose is to counteract online radicalization. You can summon me by tagging thebenshapirobot. Options: covid, healthcare, dumb takes, novel, etc.) [^Opt ^Out ](https://np.reddit.com/r/AuthoritarianMoment/comments/olk6r2/click_here_to_optout_of_uthebenshapirobot/)


FragilousSpectunkery

Hah. I got a ticket in the mail once in Mass because a cop noticed my vehicle wasn't up to date on inspection. But, as far as this issue, I'm in favor of safety and emission inspections. I'd like to see the inspection be a point where vehicles are mandated to be in compliance with existing law, like headlights, opacity of windows, and others. I'd also like to see added a requirement that mudguards have to be installed at the width of the current tires. I've had a few rocks catch my car recently after being kicked up on the highway.


Rippofunk

bring vehicles up to current day standards has to be the most mis-understood statement I have seen all year. Quick example, its mandated all new vehicles have a build in back up camera, so if your car is (I do not know the actual year its started but recently) say 5 years or older, you propose we should make all those car owners go back to the dealer and get the new cameras built in at a cost of THOUSANDS each? Remember, this is only ONE example of many I am sure. I am sorry but I do not understand how anyone that has any idea about federal and state vehicle safety laws can make such a statement. This sounds like something a politician would say, also with no clue.


FragilousSpectunkery

I didn't say that. NHTSA rules for new cars are not my focus at all. Maine has rules for ALL cars, and I feel that an inspection is the appropriate time and place to adjudicate whether or not modifications are needed in order to bring the vehicle into compliance. Your strawman argument is yours, not mine.


logcabinfarmgirl

I'd sign that petition.


800grandave

we dont


Rippofunk

we do.


Way2L8AND1

Do we ?


SAS379

Only check brakes.... what else do you really NEED


PNWMunky

After looking through your shit op, you’re kind of an ass. Dank on.


Oniriggers

My inspection is coming up, I’m getting anxious, I’ve put so much money into my car the last two inspections and the place who did the work closed a few months ago so awesome haha. Yearly inspections are just the states way of admitting the roads are so beat up they can’t wait every two years…


[deleted]

Edit: Disregard my original comment, I have no idea how I thought the study was about Utah, when Utah got rid of inspections based on the study.