Why California Cares About the Air and Not For the Safety of Your Family

We've all done it. Taken a quick glance out of our window while driving on the freeway and sized up the guy who's behind the wheel of the car next to us. An instant evaluation. Could he be drunk? High on drugs? Ridiculously reckless? Maybe you slow down just a bit and put some space between him and you. After all, you have your entire family on board.

But guess what? Your fear of that driver may be misplaced; and that's because most likely it his CAR you should be afraid of.

I've been a mechanic for more than a quarter century. And I have literally, with my own two grubby hands repaired tens of thousands of cars. And not a day...not one day... goes by that I don't have a car in one of my shops that has a notable mechanical safety issue that's being completely ignored by the car owner. And I truly wish I were kidding. But I'm not. And I'm terrified.

I'm also confused. And that's because the State of California has a very long history of leading the country, dare I say the world, in protecting and advocating for safety and innovation in automobiles. Example? Our smog inspection program is just plain wildly successful.

Our statewide ozone levels (ozone being the primary component of the dirty smog we all see) are about half of what they were in 1980!  Our air is legitimately and quantifiably cleaner than it was 30 years ago; despite having a lot more cars on the road. Deduction? The California smog check program is, umm...winning!

So why then with so much ability to organize, inspect and remedy the cars we all drive for the purpose of air pollution has the state failed to implement a similar program that would make sure that all cars are safe to be on the road? Umm-losing!

It's not a radical idea. A lot of states do it. And I mean a lot.

I'm a native New Yorker (shocking, I know).  And back in the land where I cut my automotive teeth, EVERY car rolls into a shop once a year for a BASIC safety check to be sure that not only is that car safe to drive, but that it's safe to share the road with you and your kids. The inspection is simple and basic. And yet a lot of us here in "Cali" would fail it immediately.

The New York inspection includes:

• Functional seat belts.
• Air bag system functional
• A brake inspection that requires there be no hydraulic failure or leaks, and that brake pad wear be at least nominal.
• Steering and undercar linkage to be intact and not in a condition to cause the car to lose steering control
• Tires that are not worn beyond 2/32nds of an inch.

(FYI-almost 20% of the cars I see would FAIL on this point alone. Possible consequence? How about that tire blowing off the rim while doing 60 mph on the freeway with you driving next to them?)

• All exterior lights and signals must work.
• All mirrors must be present and functional.
• Wipers must work.
• No windshield cracks longer than 11 inches.
• And your  horn has to work.

Most shops in California would charge between 25 and 30 bucks to do this check.  Once a year.

That's it. Simple.  Common sense.  And way effective.

Yet I know a lot of cars would fail. And I don't care. Not one bit. I don't care at all that it might cost some of us a few dollars to fix their cars after the inspection.

And that's because the car that fails this rudimentary check should not even be close to being allowed on a public roadway. You see, I have four little kids. And they are in the car with me... a lot. And I know that my ride is safe. But what's next to me often terrifies me.

 (And by the way-I know what you're thinking!  You are sitting there believing to your core that I just want this program because I personally would stand to financially gain from such an inspection given that I own auto repair shops? Good deducing my friend!)

But worry not. Because here's the deal: I publicly and formally stating I would NOT participate in such a program due to a conflict of interest. My passion is pure and untainted. I don't want more money. I just want safer cars.

The bottom line? I'm not completely sure. And I'm certainly not a genius. But as a plain spoken mechanic I will offer this for your consideration: the State in which we all live seems to care about some things. Air quality? You bet!

But it seems to me, for what's it's worth, that they guys who make the rules  don't give one donkey's behind in trying to increase the margin of safety for you and me on the busiest and most congested roads in the country. And that angers me. And it should you.

I know that I can't make people do the right thing---the safe thing. But government can. And while it's somewhat mind boggling that I'm actually composing an argument for more government intervention in our lives, I think the time has come for a safety inspection program.

You see I care. And it seems to me that I care a lot more than the people who go to work in the big domed building downtown do. And that is tragic.

Doug Brauner is the owner/operator of The Car Czar Auto Repair Shops, and  is a nationally recognized automotive expert.  Contact and store information as well as  FREE COUPONS for repair  can be found at www.thecarczar.com .