THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 31, 1994 TAG: 9408310009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
What? No more of the year's most anxious moments, as corner-garage workers determine if your high beams are within a fraction of perfection, your muffler whole and your tires not so slick that it's a wonder you made it here safely? No more annual state auto inspections?
It's among the ideas produced by a study group of Gov. George F. Allen's Commission on Government Reform. Would all consumers opposed to ending this dictated checkup please jump into the back seat of a VW to protest in Richmond?
This recommendation gives automobile owners credit for common sense enough to keep their automobiles operating safely. Most drivers know better than to entrust their lives to faulty brakes, or to travel in the dark without lights, and most aren't likely to take to take on an icy road with worn tires.
Rather than simply responding to a state inspection, most drivers make their own safety and that of their families a priority. That being so, and with Maryland and the District of Columbia also having dropped the inspections with no decline in traffic safety, the Virginia inspections should go as well.
Fail to maintain safety, and the cost could be much higher than the $10 or so for an inspection sticker: Anyone not keeping vehicles in proper working order could be held responsible in court if they were involved in accidents.
Inspections would be required only when titles of ownership changed. Fair enough. It would also help put more state troopers on the highways where the criminals are, rather than chasing down expired inspection stickers.
The entire commission will consider the proposal before forwarding it to the governor as part of a plan to simplify government and cut costs. This is a refreshing approach of putting consumer needs ahead of a government mandate. It is to be hoped the commission comes up with more common-sense ideas when it makes its final report next month. by CNB