Cali residents: Watch Your Ass

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

This was posted in the 240sx forums so I thought you guys should get a heads up too.



"California Crackdown on Modified Cars
$5 million in federal money will fund a Sacramento, California effort to stop drivers in modified cars.

Unmodified Subaru looks modifiedPolice 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."

[mitsu_eclipse95gst]

I'm glad i do not live in cali any more! good luck guys

[clipsekid99]

Wow, that's crazy! Even more of a reason to come out to Florida hehe... no "fix it" law, and no smog inspections

But, wouldn't this law like conflict with like freedom of speech or something?

[-Josh-]

It would most definately conflict with Freedom of Self Expression which is part of freedom of speech. I understand California has smog problems, but this is going a little to far i think. Time someone from Cali went to their congressman and had a chat.

[MoozillaGSX]

im not going to coment on this, my deep silence when even the word cop is spoken near me should be enough to under stand my feelings for them.

[Shpyder]

God GOD. This is really absurd and is definitely scary. Even pulling over stock cars that appear modded? I'd get chewed up! These guys don't have anything better to do it seems. "Let's ignore the violent gangs, drunk driving, burglaries, murders and domestic violoence, and grab those terrifying leaches to our society, those evil, evil guys with a fart can and limo tints."








That, dear sirs, is some seriously retarded ass shit.

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

Definitely, imagine cops just going out tip hunting, thats fucked up. Since when did racing stickers, limo tint, and spoilers become so dangerous. I can udnerstand them wanting to limit street racing, but jesus christ, doesnt Cali have better things to worry about? Like the millions of dollars they owe? Its even more bullshit that they have the nerve to auction off your car once they impound it.

For 1, its an individual's car, not the state's. That person worked damned hard for the money to go into it.

For 2, they're auctioning it off. If you're trying to get that car off the street, why the fuck are you selling it off to another person?

Cali's got issues man, seriously.

[MoozillaGSX]

oh yea BTW your 100% absoloutly RIGHT!!......the police around here in the bay area where i live have tons of shit they can do, but they chose to be useless mother *******. Around here where i live the cops are at the EXTREAM for biast shit, for example, they pull over my freind in his honduh al lthe time for his exhast.......ITS NOT EVEN LOUD!!!....omg its retared.....but the FORD MUSTANG!!.....oh no....thats a "kool" car...no matter how loud it is they will NOT pull over a Cammro.....mustang.....Chevell...anything Domestic is ok.....Even a Harley With 300++++++ Decibles......nope. cop will wave was he goes by and say, " nice bike, HEy! look theirs that guy with his honduh again.....quick pull him over".

and no im not exagerating, thats how it really is for me an my friends here. he actualy got pulled over 3 times in one week for his exhast here in Santa Rosa / Rhonert park area, such Bull shit. sorry if i offend, but so far in my life ....i hate cops, and everything that thye DONT do. ( soory for the rant )

[spyderturbo007]

Does this happen just for mods that would cause you to fail emissions, or are they saying that it is illegal to modify your car, in any way?

[-Josh-]

I think they're using exterior mods as a "reasonable doubt" cause to search your car for emission failing mods.... Which is crap....

[MoozillaGSX]

Originally Posted by spyderturbo007

Does this happen just for mods that would cause you to fail emissions, or are they saying that it is illegal to modify your car, in any way?

its for the emissions, they obviously cant make it illegal to modify our cars, its our right as Tax paying americans to what we want when we want to our cars.

but GOD DAMN you'd think it was illegal to paitn your car a cool color round here where i live, geezus christ!!!

[96spyderman]

SHPYDER and BOOSTEDSPYDER better start watchin their asses... especially you SHPYDER(when your car is running again)!!!!! lmao... GL bro's

I don't think they are saying that exterior mods are illegal.... just using those for an excuse to pull over and search for mods that are bad for emmissions... but unfortunately an officer can really pull you over for anything... all they have to do is "say" you did something so they have probable cause...

[1g90gsx]

What The Hell Is The World Coming To!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[imtheoneandonlyD]

thats bullshit. Just because you have exterior mods gives them probable cause to pull you over and search your car. I feel bad for the stock cars that just look really nice and get pulled over.

[Shpyder]

Originally Posted by 96spyderman

SHPYDER and BOOSTEDSPYDER better start watchin their asses... especially you SHPYDER(when your car is running again)!!!!! lmao... GL bro's

Lol. I'm waiting on RRE to call me up with that quote I requested for a 6-bolt block swap. In any case, I'll be driving the car 90 miles north to get there...with the block knocking and ticking away. It probably has crankwalked or bust lose a rod or piston (cyl 2,3 = 140 compression, other 2 are 170; fine), but there's no way in hell my car can board a tow truck, it's so slammed, the lip sits 1.5" from the ground. I'd rather risk it and drive up there than have my bumper pulled apart and paying $1000 to get it towed there . It would suck to get pulled over on my way there.