Utah House Bill 298 would abolish the requirement that all motor vehicles obtain a certificate of inspection prior to registration has been reported favorably by committee with significant amendments, and is now headed to the House floor. The bill was introduced by Utah State Rep. John Dougall (R-27). The Automotive Service Association (ASA) believes the legislation would dilute the Utah State Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program if passed.
The most significant changes made to the language of the bill, according to ASA, were those involving determinants for the frequency of the safety inspection requirement, specifically the age of the vehicle based on the model year. The age of a vehicle that is required to have a safety inspection each year would be changed from 8 or more years old on Jan. 1, 2013 to 10 or more years old Jan. 1, 2013. Also, a vehicle safety inspection would be required every four years for each vehicle that is less than 8 years old Jan. 1, 2013 in the fourth year and the eighth year. There were some omissions that were made to requirements as well.
The bill, if passed, will take effect July 1, 2013.
ASA says it opposes these changes to the Utah Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program. The bill’s effect would be to create less-safe highways in Utah – there would be more accidents leading to more injuries and possibly more deaths, the association says. State government studies of vehicle safety inspection programs in Missouri and Pennsylvania have indicated that inspection programs deter accidents, injuries and deaths.
More information:
ASA asks Utah repairers to contact their legislators and express their opposition to House Bill 298. Repairers can go to ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingtheHill.com and send an opposition letter and view the full text of the bill.
