California Crackdown on Modified Cars
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California Crackdown on Modified Cars
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.
Article Excerpt:
"We're looking to make a heavy impact on speeding and street racing in this area," Sacramento Police Deputy Chief Steve Segura said during a press conference with local and state officials on Del Paso Road in North Natomas.
Source: Area law enforcers to receive training to combat street racing (Sacramento Bee, 8/4/2005)
$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.
Article Excerpt:
"We're looking to make a heavy impact on speeding and street racing in this area," Sacramento Police Deputy Chief Steve Segura said during a press conference with local and state officials on Del Paso Road in North Natomas.
Source: Area law enforcers to receive training to combat street racing (Sacramento Bee, 8/4/2005)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
Originally Posted by Variance
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."
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."
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
that's rediculous. completely rediculous. modified cars in general are NOT the problem. i can see why they want to go after illegal tinting and things that actually ARE illegal, but from that article it makes it seem like altering the car in any form what-so-ever is wrong. 
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 3
From: California
what a waste of money
"driving while asian" how friggin racist is that????
freeway shootings are what they need to focus on
when i still had my SC, they pulled me over thinking i was racing at 40 in a 45 zone, completely wasted 30 minutes of my time searching my car top to bottom and at the same time giving me BS attitude, this is ridiculous.....while i was pulled over, i saw so many people speeding well over 45, and this stupid cop pulls me over assuming i was racing, gaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy, he ended up having to let me go cuz he had nothing on me
"driving while asian" how friggin racist is that????
freeway shootings are what they need to focus on
when i still had my SC, they pulled me over thinking i was racing at 40 in a 45 zone, completely wasted 30 minutes of my time searching my car top to bottom and at the same time giving me BS attitude, this is ridiculous.....while i was pulled over, i saw so many people speeding well over 45, and this stupid cop pulls me over assuming i was racing, gaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy, he ended up having to let me go cuz he had nothing on me
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: S. California
Well, look at the bright side. There will be less and less of those lifted trucks and Hondas with those ricy exhausts running around. I hope they start ticketing those Hummers with the 5 ft high bumper as they are just 
Last edited by Kaban; Aug 5, 2005 at 10:25 PM.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,169
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From: None
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."
How ridiculous. Under this "law", every Ferrari should be pulled over and given tickets. But I bet you ZERO Ferraris, M5's, and other exotics have been pulled over for this "violation". I'm sure those rich folks get to go along on their merry way.
How ridiculous. Under this "law", every Ferrari should be pulled over and given tickets. But I bet you ZERO Ferraris, M5's, and other exotics have been pulled over for this "violation". I'm sure those rich folks get to go along on their merry way.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: CA
Originally Posted by jrock65
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."
How ridiculous. Under this "law", every Ferrari should be pulled over and given tickets. But I bet you ZERO Ferraris, M5's, and other exotics have been pulled over for this "violation". I'm sure those rich folks get to go along on their merry way.
How ridiculous. Under this "law", every Ferrari should be pulled over and given tickets. But I bet you ZERO Ferraris, M5's, and other exotics have been pulled over for this "violation". I'm sure those rich folks get to go along on their merry way.
As for the lifted trucks...they wont pull them over, because they cant move fast enough to get out of their own way, but neve mind the safety factor that these huge trucks can cause should they ever run into someone.
This also nails the hot rodders who by smog exemption tened to have highly modded vehicles. Don't see too many of them driving their cars abusively though. (At least the ones I know.) Won't see them pulling up to a ricer gathering with their 30's-50's rod.
I don't like the motorcycle exhaust either...I recall being told that thier noise limits are vastly different than a car's. May not even have any regulation. 
I don't like the motorcycle exhaust either...I recall being told that thier noise limits are vastly different than a car's. May not even have any regulation.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: MN
Originally Posted by OGS
hahah... yes we are...but not as bad as the Honda guys! 
