logo_sm.gif (4042 bytes)
Your Source for Up-To-Date News and Research on the Collision Repair Industry 

 
Subscribe to INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alerts
click here to subscribe to the FREE INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alert Email


lftspace.GIF (57 bytes)
SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY
Today's News
INSIGHT This Month
INSIGHT Archives
Survey Center
Letter to the Editor
Business Tools
Subscription Information
CSI Reporting
Financial Analysis
IRS Audit Guide
Management/
Technical Info

Market Watch Rates
INSIGHT Inside this month's issue...
Feedback
Letter to the Editor
cntspace.GIF (53 bytes)
Wednesday January 26

U.S. House Bill Introduced to Encourage State Vehicle Safety Inspection Programs

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, has introduced House Bill 229, the Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2011, that establishes national standards for state safety inspections for motor vehicles. The bill requires states to establish minimum annual vehicle safety inspection programs or lose specific federal funds.

During the first week of the 111th U.S. Congress, Jackson-Lee introduced House Resolution 259, which proposed to establish state safety inspection programs and national standards for state safety inspections of motor vehicles across the United States, but no action was taken on the legislation.

Included in the requirements listed in the language of this new bill, states must enact and enforce “a law that requires the owner of a motor vehicle registered in the state to present the vehicle for inspection on an annual basis to ensure that the vehicle meets or exceeds motor vehicle safety standards to be established by the state. At a minimum, such standards shall ensure that the seatbelts and speedometer installed in the vehicle are operable.”

Less than half the states have vehicle safety inspection programs and of those programs that do exist, many have inconsistent standards. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports federal legislation mandating periodic state motor vehicle safety inspection with a minimum level of safety standards. ASA has proposed to the Congress expanding the number of minimum standards included in the vehicle inspection if the Congress moves forward with safety inspection legislation.

Both the states of Missouri and Pennsylvania have conducted studies demonstrating the importance of periodic motor vehicle safety inspections as a deterrent to vehicle accidents, injuries and deaths.

To view the full text of U.S. House Resolution 229, visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA’s headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

©2011 Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT
All Rights Reserved

FEATURED
LINKS:

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes

DuPont Automotive Refinish

Spies-Hecker Automotive Refinish

PreFab Ads

Akzo Nobel

National Auto Body Council
INSIGHT Supports the NABC!
Do You?