California Crackdown on Modified Cars

[Chucks73]

Here the link to the article:
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/05/576.asp

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 spreading 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.
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I don't know if this is article true or not. Anyone know for sure?

[ProdigyCustoms]

I am so glad I do not live there. What a bunch of a$$holes. Why the hell don't you guy's that live there just leave. We can do about anything we want here in Florida. Ya'll come on.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Wow, if that is true that is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous. I now know why they call it commiefornia. I never realized an "auto entusiast" could no longer modify their cars. How is extra gauges illegal? LOL, this is absolutely ridiculous. It probably won't be long before it comes to NY, either.

Hey, rather than spend $5 millon cracking down on drug trafficing, illegal immigration, terrorism and other various crimes that actually EFFECT us, lets crack down on that guy in the silverado. He obviously has a catback exhaust on there. Burn him at the stake!

California and NY and other states are so worried about pollution and what not. Have any of these politicians taken a look at China and what they're doing to the global environment. My geography professor was telling me that at the current rate of growth and pollution being produced by China and some of the third world countries, we'll all be gone in 40-50 years. BUT, sleep well at night knowing that they took those 50 cars who were probably producing .1 over emissions legal C02 or whatever off the road. Yeah, that will really make a difference when every other dump truck and diesel you see driving down the street has a black plume above it.

(Note: I have nothing against China or any third world country, I was just repeating a fact from one of my professors who was unbiased and actually lives in Europe.)

[F70t/a]

I tried to live in another state and I only lasted 10 months. Tornado season had a lot to do with it.

[Bill Howell]

American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.
If we had a confederate flag smiley, I would be flying it right now.

[TonyL]

actually what they are after is STREET RACERS. people die here in sac almost daily as a result of stupid ricer kids racing in traffic Need for Speed underground stile. It's not enough to drag race, these fools are point to point racing through town.

They are only after ricer cars. They had a big thing on the news about it.

[Mean 69]

Why the hell don't you guy's that live there just leave.

Here's a few (granted, not everyone has the same opinions, and I totally respect that).

Weather. It's damn near perfect all year round. We have had a "terrible summer," and everyone is complaining about the humidity. It has been in the 70% range for weeks, and this is highly unusual. Oh, and by the way, where I live, average temperature is 70 degrees. And it NEVER snows.

Variety. I can be in the middle of the desert, or in the snowy mountains (winter), each in two hours. I can surf and ski in one day, and have many times.

Scenery. There are more totally hot chicks in Southern California than I have ever seen anywhere else in my life. Everywhere. There is something about the weather that makes 'em all want to look good, tan, healthy, and scantily clothed. Can't beat it.

Demand. My house has appreciated over 100% in the last four years. No doubt, the traffic and population have also increased, but come on!?

Hot Rods. It's So. Cal, need I say more?

Job Stability. If you are remotely marketable, you can and will get a job if you current one goes away.

Race Tracks. Road courses, drag strips, circle tracks, off road. Take your pick. Not always close to home, but you never have to drive in bad weather either.

Ahh, yes, Kalifornia. The Land of Fruits, and Nuts. Why, on Earth, would anyone want to live here? Only place I'd prefer? Hawaii.

M

P.S. Did I mention that there is good surf, all year 'round?

[KrisHorton]

I believe they'll pull over the punk kid in the Civc with the bookshelf wing before they pull over a guy driving a beefed up muscle car. Seems the guys with all the horsepower tend to know how to keep it in their pants, while the guys with 160 hp 4-bangers drive around like maniacs. I know that's not completely true everywhere, but it's not far off. I know that the more power I have under the hood, the more respect I will have for the car and the rules of the road.

To quote Spiderman's uncle: "With great power comes great responsibility."

Kris

[Zefhix]

I think the author worded that article poorly. You won't get a ticket for having guages too big (unless it interferes with visibility) but they will use that for probable cause to pull you over and look for other stuff on the car that is definitely illegal. Like no cats, active N2O bottles, etc. The thing that is troublesome is that the noise the exhaust note makes is subjective to the officers' idea of what (and what is not) too loud. That'll bring the a-hole cops out of the woodwork for sure.....I also agree that the 5 million could have been put to more specific uses rather than the vague "Drag-Net" scheme to battle street racers. Oh well, Nevada is still allright for the time being.

[BRIAN]

Guys I think that is just wrong no matter what you think of the rice racer crowd. Yes, go after the street racing but use different tactics. Just as everybody interpited that law differently so will individual law enforcment agencies. That could effect a lot of people.

The attitude that it ain't happening here is also wrong. I sign as many petitions that are sent to me regarding saving older vehicle rights. Keep saying "I'll sign the next one" or "It doesn't effect me" and see what happens

Ralph ask your teacher about how they scrap older vehicles in order to allow huge MFG facilities dump 10x as much junk into our air. They just use the cars as a excuse. How much do you think all the musclecars in the USA running out of tune at one time could possibly pollute the air in 1 year? There are factories that do the same in 1 week every year.

I just remebered I left my BBC Suburban running in the driveway. But it passed inspection so I am ok!!

[Protour_Pinto]

Yep, Just about everything in the article is true. Scary part is they have added more to it.

If your car looks,sounds or is suspected of being at, in or near a speed contest they can confiscate your car, Not to be returned and crushed. They have been doing it since the beginning of the year. The first car they did was a late model Camaro that was pretty tricked out.

They have taken a few WRXs and Lancers that were bone stock and before they could be returned they were destroyed. Any proof they had to them being stock was destroyed with them.

Like Johnny talked about in his editorial in this months PHR, Yea California has its good points and its bad point, the one thing that is true is that the rest of the country usually follows suit.

In N.Y. they are not destroying the cars they impound, They slap some lights on them and use them to chase the people racing.

Is California Nirvana like it was "back in the day"? some of the old timers would hang their heads and weep, Some may tell you why they have gave up and bought a Minnie Winnie and travel. But then there are those who rolled up their sleeves and tried to get along with "The Man" Some of those have figured out that they can have as much fun and not let it get them to a point of Hari-Kari.

All you have to ask yourself is " Is hotrodding worth the headaches?"

To me? Yes it is. I will continue to do what I do while getting as close to the left of the rules as I can and still be able to drive it!

[Maxoctane]

This thread bring up 2 of my pet peeves;

1. I HATE IT when the media (print or otherwise) refers to a STREET RACE as a DRAG RACE! Drag racing is a legal activity in a controlled environment and also a nationally recognized and televised sport. STREET RACING is just that and referring to it any other way does nothing to better our image as car enthusiasts to the public at large. (Not that I care what people think but I like to see as many people involved in our sport/hobby as possible)

2. Ummm, what ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"?? Seizing and disposing of an individuals property without any conviction?? Commiefornia indeed.....

[yody]

I Think you guys are believing the media too much, I don't know anyone who has had their car crushed. This sounds like hearsay. They have cracked down, but I haven't heard of anything that drastic.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Ralph ask your teacher about how they scrap older vehicles in order to allow huge MFG facilities dump 10x as much junk into our air. They just use the cars as a excuse. How much do you think all the musclecars in the USA running out of tune at one time could possibly pollute the air in 1 year? There are factories that do the same in 1 week every year.

Exactly my point. There are FAR less muscle cars, and classic cars running around then there are old, pollution filled dump trucks and flat beds. I was driving behind a UPS truck the other day, and the black ploom was so thick coming from behind that truck I could hardly see. I won't even get started on factories, and what not. Everyone keeps outsourcing jobs to third world countries, mexico, etc. because in the end it means more money in their pockets, since the end product costs less to make. This is a good thing for consumers, however, the boats, tractor trailers, planes, etc. are transporting lots more stuff because of this. More mass transport equals more pollution.

Modified late models and muscle cars are just a scapegoat for politicians. It gives them an easy out. "Well, Governor, what do you have to say about the haze above the city today?" "We're doing all we can to reverse the effects, and clean up the air. Stricter emissions laws, and a state-wide crackdown on modified cars is cleaning the ozone, one tail pipe at a time." :bsjerk:

[ProdigyCustoms]

They are only after ricer cars. They had a big thing on the news about it.

I retract my previous statement. California is the smartest state in the union if they are only targeting ricers! Seriously, I assumed that was what they were talking about, but none the less they do make it difficult to enjoy the hobby. I just get a little passionate about it.

1 Don't mess with my mommy

2 Don't mess with my wife!

3 Don't mess with my kids

4 And don't F__K with my cars!

[Frank69]

The San Diego PD "model enforcement program" is designed to combat illegal street racing, period. As a result of numerous deaths resulting from this activity, SDPD applied a detailed crime analysis study of correlative factors that were present in each of these cases. Numerous factors were identified, such as day of week and time, type of roadway/area, age/sex of driver, type of vehicle and modifications, availability of alternative race sights, etc. From that study came an enforcement strategy that INCLUDED vehicle inspections. The enforcement program also provides manpower and money for roadway improvements, working weekend/night traffic enforcement, traffic cameras at key intersections, AND police sponsored youth oriented groups of car enthusiasts that work with speed equipment retailers and manufacturers to race at area drag strips. The overall strategy acknowledges that kids are always going to hot rod their cars, but attempts to move them from illegal street racing to legal off-street racing through both positive and negative reinforcement. Kinda just like being a parent.

Trust me, the program does not make money, as the article suggests. In fact, grant funding had to be obtained from the feds. Also, the driver of the vehicle must be convicted of one of a group of specified crimes in order for his vehicle to be seized and destroyed. There is an appeal process, and the family of the street racer can apply to keep the vehicle if it can be proved that it is their sole transportation. They must make necessary repairs to return it to smog legal status, however. I think the strategy makes sense. It may be abused in some jurisdictions, but overall it was well thought out and the officers involved in the research and planning (at least in San Diego) were all "car guys".

Sorry, I put in $.03.......I'll stop now.

[trapin]

Weather. It's damn near perfect all year round. We have had a "terrible summer," and everyone is complaining about the humidity. It has been in the 70% range for weeks, and this is highly unusual. Oh, and by the way, where I live, average temperature is 70 degrees. And it NEVER snows.

M. You had me at 'weather'.

[David Pozzi]

M. You had me at 'weather'.

[inSANe DIEGO]

...racing stickers. EVERYONE knows that the more stickers one's Honda has the faster it gets. As long as people are getting busted for truly illegal mods and actions, fine. I agree...stupid ricers. They are making the general public think that ANY non-stock looking car has an @ss hole in it that is waiting to slam into someone while racing.

-Tried the moving out of state thing. Just about every shop tool I had got stolen and I was involved in more collisions that were NOT my fault in 2 years than my 11 years driving here. Not to mention it was the most miserable 7 years of my life. I'll take "crime ridden" Cali over some "safe" backwoods town in a backwards state where I've seen more drunk drivers than ever any day.

Oh, and I knew who stole the tools and the police did NOTHING! One of the collisions was a hit and run and I chased him down IN MY MODDED CAMARO... again police did nothing!

I'm off my soapbox...

[Steve1968LS2]

Five words of advice for living in CA..

Buy a pre 76 car