Angels8

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.

Source: The newspaper.com http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/05/576.asp

Jackelope

https://www.mazda3club.com/southwestern-us-32/california-crackdown-modified-cars-40419/ - and yah, i dont think its right at all... they gonna start cracking down on all mods? i mean, i have an aftermarket stereo...

and this line "Several cities have drag-racing ordinances that allow police to auction off seized cars and keep the profits.

is total BS

kargoboy

Nice.
I love the definition of 'illegal' modifications best: big wings (well, tickets for bad taste might be ok), extra guages (that aftermarket oil pressure guage is a danger to both the environment and other drivers) and of course, stickers (which we all know add illegal amounts of horsepower and pollutants).
This would not only apply to ricer-boys and driving enthusiasts but what about the Hot Rod capitol of the world in Southern California?

That is the biggest load of crap I've read in a long time.

djchazzychef

Thank God for Michigan laws. No emission testing. No ridiculous CARB laws.... no anything. I could run a car with exhaust so rich someone could light it on fire with a stray cigarette butt. I feel bad for those from Cali' though. Sucks to have big brother come down on people who love driving rather than those who drive stupid *** SUVs. Keep writing those senators and representatives. I'm drunk, later.

Chaz

meGrimlock

police have been auctioning off seized cars for years, driving while asian is not nearly as bad as driving while hispanic, or infamous as driving while black.

but what i dont understand, is are these cops supposed to be certified mechanics, who can spot the difference between a street legal and non street-legal parts at 1am when they are pulling over the paul walker and vin diesel wannabes?
-meGrimlock