The bill was introduced by Utah state Rep. John Dougall (R-27), and would dilute the Utah State Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program if passed.
The most important changes made to the language of the bill were those involving determinants for the frequency of the safety inspection requirement, specifically the age of the vehicle based on the model year. The age of a vehicle that is required to have a safety inspection each year would be changed from eight or more years old on Jan. 1, 2013 to 10 or more years old Jan. 1, 2013.
Also, a vehicle safety inspection would be required every four years for each vehicle that is less than eight years old Jan. 1, 2013 in the fourth year and the eighth year. There were some omissions that were made to requirements as well.
The bill, if passed, will take effect July 1, 2013.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes these changes to the Utah Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program. The bill’s effect would be to create less-safe highways in Utah – there would be more accidents leading to more injuries and possibly more deaths. State government studies of vehicle safety inspection programs in Missouri and Pennsylvania have indicated that inspection programs deter accidents, injuries and deaths.
ASA asks Utah repairers to contact their legislators and express their opposition to House Bill 298. Repairers can go to ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingtheHill.com and send an opposition letter or view the full text of the bill.
