Smog Check Program

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Smog Check Program
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We have all heard to term "smog", but what does
it really mean? Smog is defined as fog or haze
combined with smoke and other atmospheric
pollutants.
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Although some drivers have equipped their cars
with devices that can emit a sort of fog or haze
for fun, when it comes to our vehicles and how
they relate to smog, it is the atmospheric
pollutants component of smog that is most
relevant.
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In an effort to reduce smog, many states have
developed smog checking programs in an effort to
help to reduce tailpipe emissions.
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California is such a state and its Smog Check
program has been in place for many years now.
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The program requires that motorists must have
their vehicles tested each year for excessive
emissions and if necessary the owner must make
the needed repairs in order to pass the
inspection.
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Since a program like Smog Check makes everyone
responsible for limiting the atmospheric
pollutants produced by their vehicle, it makes
all drivers part of the solution as well.
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And just how much responsibility do we as drivers
have for smog? It is estimated that our vehicles
are responsible for approximately 50 of smog
forming emissions nationwide.
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How Effective Is The Smog Check Program
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Now that the program is well established in
California, evidence is available to be analyzed
as to its effectiveness.
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Some who have researched to program feel that the
program focuses to much on newer cars, which
naturally run cleaner than older models.
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This focus, these researchers feel , is
misguided due to the fact that although older
model vehicle s account for only 10 of vehicles
on the road, they are at the same time
responsible for almost one half of all vehicle
emissions.
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In fact, the California Smog Check program
exempts 2001 model year vehicles or older.
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Some say that these vehicles should not be
exempted because they emit so much atmospheric
pollution.
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Others say that these vehicles are typically
owned by lower income individuals and that
forcing them to make expensive repairs on their
older vehicles would represent an unfair
financial burden upon them.
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Smog Check Buy Back Program
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To address this issue, the State of California
has a vehicle buy back program that allows for as
much as 1000 to be paid to the owner of an older
vehicle so that the vehicle can be taken off the
road and sold for scrap.
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As with any state program, the Smog Check program
has its pluses and minuses.
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But the overall objective of reducing the degree
of atmospheric pollutants that our vehicles emit
makes the Smog Check program one that is worth
pursuing.