VA doesn't seem so bad after all
08-08-2005, 04:45 AM
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VA doesn't seem so bad after all
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)
DWA:driving while Asian HAHAHAHAHA
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)
DWA:driving while Asian HAHAHAHAHA
Last edited by LSPinoy; 08-08-2005 at 04:48 AM.
08-08-2005, 08:31 AM
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Re: VA doesn't seem so bad after all
Been going on for years in San Diego...I didn't mind it as much because they mainly harrassed the ricers, people being complete idiots behind the wheel, and "organized street races" aka ricer gatherings.
This I think is BS...It's like pulling over a young black or latino guy driving a really nice car, I guess he must have stole it right? 
...Of course 90% of the cars with that stuff are ricers that do dumb s#!t on the road, so it's hard to argue with the theory. 
...I still think that they should have to be doing something in order for probable cause to come into play and for them to be inspected...Maybe this will force all the ricers to go with the "clean" or "sleeper" look...
I still see this as only having an impact on the ricer/import community...Your average Mustang, Camaro, and Vette owners probably won't notice the difference.
Originally Posted by LSPinoy
...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.
...Of course 90% of the cars with that stuff are ricers that do dumb s#!t on the road, so it's hard to argue with the theory. ...I still think that they should have to be doing something in order for probable cause to come into play and for them to be inspected...Maybe this will force all the ricers to go with the "clean" or "sleeper" look...I still see this as only having an impact on the ricer/import community...Your average Mustang, Camaro, and Vette owners probably won't notice the difference.
08-08-2005, 08:34 AM
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Re: VA doesn't seem so bad after all
Originally Posted by LSPinoy
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."
08-08-2005, 08:38 AM
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Re: VA doesn't seem so bad after all
Originally Posted by Tonka Toy
That's some bullshit right there. Not that I have anything to worry about because I drive a domestic truck.
Last edited by hornetsnest; 08-08-2005 at 12:37 PM.