Smog check program
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Transcript of Smog check program
We have all heard to term "smog", but what does it really mean? Smog is defined as fog
or haze combined with smoke and other atmospheric pollutants.
Although some drivers have equipped their cars with devices that can emit a sort of fog or haze for fun, when it comes to our vehicles and how they relate to smog, it is the atmospheric pollutants
component of smog that is most relevant.
In an effort to reduce smog, many states have developed smog checking programs in
an effort to help to reduce tailpipe emissions.
The program requires that motorists must have their vehicles tested each year for excessive emissions and if necessary the owner must make the needed repairs in
order to pass the inspection.
Since a program like Smog Check makes everyone responsible for limiting the
atmospheric pollutants produced by their vehicle, it makes all drivers part of the
solution as well.
And just how much responsibility do we as drivers have for smog? It is estimated that
our vehicles are responsible for approximately 50% of smog forming
emissions nationwide.
Now that the program is well established in
California, evidence is available to be analyzed as to its effectiveness.
Some who have researched to program feel that the program focuses to much on newer cars, which naturally run cleaner than older
models.
This focus, these researchers feel , is misguided due to the fact that although older model vehicle
s account for only 10% of vehicles on the road, they are at the same time responsible for almost
one half of all vehicle emissions.
Some say that these vehicles should not be exempted because they emit so much
atmospheric pollution.
Others say that these vehicles are typically owned by lower income individuals and that forcing them to make expensive repairs on
their older vehicles would represent an unfair financial burden upon them.
To address this issue, the State of California has a vehicle buy back program that allows
for as much as $1000 to be paid to the owner of an older vehicle so that the vehicle can be taken off the road and sold for scrap.