Finally, a bill I can get behind

Wozniak Bill Waives Inspections for Newer Cars HARRISBURG, March 15, 2012 -- State Sen. John N. Wozniak announced today new legislation that would lift the requirement of annual inspections for cars less than two years old. (It should be less than 5 years old) “For purchasers of today’s new cars, the annual inspection is a pointless ritual that serves no purpose,” he said. “Owners of new cars have already paid dearly for a vehicle equipped with the latest safety technology. Requiring a state inspection is overkill.” Senate Bill 1451 would lift the annual inspection requirement for two years from the date of manufacture. Wozniak noted that most states have eliminated automobile inspections entirely as research has been inconclusive about their effect on overall safety. The federal government lifted the requirement for states to mandate vehicle inspection more than 25 years ago, and only 12 states still require annual inspections for all vehicles. Neighboring New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio have ended automobile inspections, while Delaware does not require inspections for vehicles less than five years old. “The cost of driving continues to rise dramatically and federal safety guidelines for new cars are a contributor,” Wozniak said. “There is no reason that a person who has made that investment in a new car should have to pay again.” The bill is part of an effort by Wozniak to lift outdated mandates on drivers that have outlived their useful purchase. In January, noting a less than four percent failure rate, he sponsored a resolution seeking permission from the federal government to waive emissions tests required in 25 counties since 1990. “While it is the legislature’s duty to pass laws that keep up with changing times,” he said. “It is also our duty to repeal laws for the same reason.”