FYI California Crackdown on Modified Cars
Aug 15, 2005, 06:54 AM
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FYI California Crackdown on Modified Cars
Police in Sacramento, California announced last 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.
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.
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Aug 15, 2005, 08:20 AM
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5million!!!
Instead of taking that money to hunt us down, they need to take that money and help MORE important problems cali has like... drugs, violence, crime, school education. Goahead, have 2 cops pull me over... but down the street there is a woman shot, and the closest 2 officers just pulled me, because I have a loud exhaust or a dark tint.
Or a school in a poor neighborhood can't afford new books for the class, because the capitol felt it was more important to hunt me down, than help that childs education. Street racing, while a small problem... isn't nearly as bad as california drug, violence, crime, school eduction sutitions. Also, they can't stop... there best bet is to contain it, and that hasn't work yet.
That's a waste of money, when it could go to problems that need it MORE. A state in a financial crisis... putting themselves in more red zone. Good going california
Instead of taking that money to hunt us down, they need to take that money and help MORE important problems cali has like... drugs, violence, crime, school education. Goahead, have 2 cops pull me over... but down the street there is a woman shot, and the closest 2 officers just pulled me, because I have a loud exhaust or a dark tint.
Or a school in a poor neighborhood can't afford new books for the class, because the capitol felt it was more important to hunt me down, than help that childs education. Street racing, while a small problem... isn't nearly as bad as california drug, violence, crime, school eduction sutitions. Also, they can't stop... there best bet is to contain it, and that hasn't work yet.
That's a waste of money, when it could go to problems that need it MORE. A state in a financial crisis... putting themselves in more red zone. Good going california
Aug 15, 2005, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Az3ar
I lived in Cali for 1 year and never had a problem. I now live in Fairfax, VA and I face problems all the time.
If you think cops are bad in cali come to Fairfax, VA and enjoy.
If you think cops are bad in cali come to Fairfax, VA and enjoy.
The biggest reason behind this is the problems with street racing and side shows. Street racing is a particularly stupid activity when you consider that within 4 hours of sacramento, you have race tracks in Reno NV, buttonwillow, thunderhill, sears point, and Lagna seca. For drag strips, you have one in Saco, sears point, and I think there is one in Reno. There are at least 4 chapters of the SCCA to autocrossing, not to mention all the private clubs that run autocrossing.
Oh yeah, almost forgot... We also stage alot of rally cross in the region too...
Street racing is stupid, especially in cali with the enourmous amount of legal venues to satisfy your need for speed.
Last edited by chrisw; Aug 15, 2005 at 08:29 AM.
Aug 15, 2005, 09:24 AM
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I will take california over virginia anyday.. for all those people who are *****ing about the "crack down"..gimme a break, if its a crack down its only cause they let everything go now. Exceeding 80mph in virginia is a FELONY! yep.. im a two time felon in virginia... speed traps all over the place and radar detectors are illegal. My first speeding ticket in virginia was just under $1000.. the second one cost me $500 both were on major interstates on long drives with no other cars in sight.
Aug 15, 2005, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Arithmetic
5million!!!
Instead of taking that money to hunt us down, they need to take that money and help MORE important problems cali has like... drugs, violence, crime, school education. Goahead, have 2 cops pull me over... but down the street there is a woman shot, and the closest 2 officers just pulled me, because I have a loud exhaust or a dark tint.
Or a school in a poor neighborhood can't afford new books for the class, because the capitol felt it was more important to hunt me down, than help that childs education. Street racing, while a small problem... isn't nearly as bad as california drug, violence, crime, school eduction sutitions. Also, they can't stop... there best bet is to contain it, and that hasn't work yet.
That's a waste of money, when it could go to problems that need it MORE. A state in a financial crisis... putting themselves in more red zone. Good going california
Instead of taking that money to hunt us down, they need to take that money and help MORE important problems cali has like... drugs, violence, crime, school education. Goahead, have 2 cops pull me over... but down the street there is a woman shot, and the closest 2 officers just pulled me, because I have a loud exhaust or a dark tint.
Or a school in a poor neighborhood can't afford new books for the class, because the capitol felt it was more important to hunt me down, than help that childs education. Street racing, while a small problem... isn't nearly as bad as california drug, violence, crime, school eduction sutitions. Also, they can't stop... there best bet is to contain it, and that hasn't work yet.
That's a waste of money, when it could go to problems that need it MORE. A state in a financial crisis... putting themselves in more red zone. Good going california
Wow... I strongly agree with this guy!
Aug 15, 2005, 02:42 PM
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3 months ago, a white Camaro CHP tailed on me for a mile or two on the 680 freeway because he saw me accelerating fast from a freeway on-ramp. The CHP tailed on me that long, he saw my exhaust, tinted windows, and then he decided to pass me. I also drive a lot to Sacramento and had a few encounters with the CHP but never got any pull-overs, knock on wood. Never got a ticket on my EVO. I got two speeding tickets on my CLK55 for the last 3 years 
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Last edited by evo55; Aug 15, 2005 at 08:17 PM.