I say that there should be regular inspections here in CA, and that they should coincide with emissions testing. For the price charged to the owner of a car every time it has to be smog certified, it seems that a qualified mechanic could give the car a once-over regarding the basic state of the vehicle. That’s not an Orwellian concept. It just makes good sense.

A cold, hard reality here in Tax-ifornia is that too many cars are owned by too many people who can’t afford to insure them, much less keep them in good repair. Cars have evolved into something too sophisticated for the old shade-tree mechanic, which in turn means that the owner has to pony up a lot of bucks for nearly any repair. Caught between putting gas in the car for the month or fixing the brakes, they opt for the fuel and pray that the grinding noise that is generated every time they apply the brake pedal isn’t so bad that they can last for just one more paycheck… and then one more…

So, while we’re ignoring the brakes, let’s also ignore the pressure in the tires and the lack of tread or the little strip of cording showing on the inside edge of the front tire, the rotting wiper blade, the burnt out brake light, the fact that the car burns more oil than a 1940′s locomotive, etc. They’re getting by on luck that is an eyeblink from going away.

I strive to keep all of my vehicles in the best condition possible. It is a little frightening to consider that for all the work I do, the safety of me and my family can still easily be compromised by the many drivers in cars that shouldn’t ever see the road. So, yeah… we can’t seem to legislate drivers into being responsible, maybe we can do something about the cars.

Mike,

For the record let’s define “bald”. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows a racing slick like the ones we use or shave for racing still have a decent and save amount of rubber on the tire. On the other hand, any one who tries to tell someone that a “bald” tire or should I say, a standard highway tire that has worn out all it’s tread beyond the minimum wear bar threads (which at 2/32′s) is save has to be wither an idiot in denial, has a death wish, or smokes way too much crack. Standard highway tires that are bald are more than well documented to be unsafe and highly likely to blow out at high speed. Partly because they cannot cool and it’s important to keep in mind, a LOT of the time a bald tire is accompanied by a serious alignment issue or tire pressure. If there wasn’t anything wrong with bald tires like you said, then why does every state in the U.S. consider them illegal?

As for not raining here in California… Try driving a bald tire or slick thru the water on a corner where some water is running across the road or on a cold morning. Furthermore, you never know when there may be some reason for water on the road, water truck, car with blown antifreeze hose, and more.

I hope they don’t do that. I see this as being a very bad idea just leading to more revenue for the state.

Remember the “school bus law” See what that did. Just gave the State more money..

Besides, no matter what this writer says, bald tires aren’t “deathtraps” There actually isn’t anything wrong with them, as long as they are used in dry weather.

Heck, if anything they give more grip.

(Yes, in the wet there is danger of hydroplaning, but in California we can predict the rainy season months ahead. Southern Cali won’t see a drop of water in the Summer)

Perfect weather for racing slicks. hehe

hahahah ooh California and their stupid laws! I wouldn’t be surprised if the governator passed this law either.

California can’t/won’t enforce the existing laws regarding cell phone use…..Can’t see them enforcing the correct tire pressure.

Yet another reason why I hate California. They will take a reasonable idea and really screw it up so that everyone has to suffer. They should just add this to the list of things they check at the annual emisions test and leave it be the rest of the year. Any more than that will cost the government more money and cause more hassle than good.

i am always surprised at how low people drive on their tires. sometimes its scary. but in order to watch out for this, california could employ teenagers to work at gas stations to check and inflate tires, sort of like gas stations in oregon.

Of coures it would happen in California. I don’t like the idea of getting pulled over at random, especially when it’s for something that doesn’t really pertain to me, but I do see your point with some cars being death traps. I would rather just watch out for other drivers and leave myself ample room when possible that get pulled over for a roadside inspection when I’m on a time schedule and kind of have to be somewhere. Then I’ll have to drive faster and less catious to get there on time.