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.
Looks like the main thing they're cracking down on is noise and emissions. I say good. I'm tired of those goddam mufflers. If you're gonna get a ticket for having a muffler that's too loud, GET A QUIETER ONE!!! The muffler on my car can't be heard on the highway, or even when in traffic. If I've got the boost turned up, the bov is louder than the exhaust. That's how it should be. Show me dyno sheets that show those mufflers make a big enough difference over my Hooker street muffler. I actually gain 8 ft lbs and 14 hp by having a complete 2.5" system made, with a quiet muffler. And my car has all the emissions equipment required for 1984. I've seen lots of performance cats out there, so there is no point in removing it, or punching it out. Leave your emissions stuff there, don't rice your car, and get a quiet muffler and you won't get pulled over and ticketed.
i hate loud mufflers as well. especially when ricer teens have them on. This guy has this 1991 Civic hb near my school, and when he starts to drive it, it sounds nasty. its blatenly disgusting. its pretty loud and sounds like the cars farting/dying at the same time. i want my car to have a jetwhiring/ferrari/porsche sounding exhaust sound. as for california, when it spreads through the entire state, a lotta people will be screwed.
__________________ off to cause trouble for the establishment
i hate loud mufflers as well. especially when ricer teens have them on. This guy has this 1991 Civic hb near my school, and when he starts to drive it, it sounds nasty. its blatenly disgusting. its pretty loud and sounds like the cars farting/dying at the same time. i want my car to have a jetwhiring/ferrari/porsche sounding exhaust sound. as for california, when it spreads through the entire state, a lotta people will be screwed.
Its almost like thats the first thing on those ricer's mind. I'm seeing everything with a mufler on it now.. Even an automatic dodge shadow.
Looks like the main thing they're cracking down on is noise and emissions. I say good. I'm tired of those goddam mufflers. If you're gonna get a ticket for having a muffler that's too loud, GET A QUIETER ONE!!! The muffler on my car can't be heard on the highway, or even when in traffic. If I've got the boost turned up, the bov is louder than the exhaust. That's how it should be. Show me dyno sheets that show those mufflers make a big enough difference over my Hooker street muffler. I actually gain 8 ft lbs and 14 hp by having a complete 2.5" system made, with a quiet muffler. And my car has all the emissions equipment required for 1984. I've seen lots of performance cats out there, so there is no point in removing it, or punching it out. Leave your emissions stuff there, don't rice your car, and get a quiet muffler and you won't get pulled over and ticketed.
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off to cause trouble for the establishment
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