New Hampshire Lawmakers Consider Eliminating Annual Vehicle Safety Inspections

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a bill that would eliminate the requirement for annual vehicle safety inspections, reports WMUR.

In addition to removing the requirement for inspections, HB 649 would axe funding for the state’s Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Abatement Fund, which has been supported by a portion of each state inspection fee.

Republican Rep. Michael Granger, the bill’s main sponsor, has argued that some automotive shops and technicians use state safety inspections as a way to take advantage of car owners.

“Very plain and simple, I think that the vehicle safety inspections are a scam,” surmised Granger.

Opponents of the bill include members of law enforcement, such as Chuck Massahos, the sheriff of Rockingham County and a technician himself.

“The average person has no idea if their tires are bald, their brake lines are leaking brake fluid,” said Massahos.

Massahos is joined by Dan Bennett, president of the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, who has added that routine safety inspections help prevent drivers being burdened with bigger, more expensive repairs in the future.

“We all know preventative maintenance costs less than catastrophic repair, that's why we go to the doctor, preventative maintenance,” explained Bennett.

New Hampshire is one of 12 U.S. states that require regular safety inspections. While proposals similar to HB 649 have been proposed in the state house before, they failed to pass. The current legislation is now being considered by the House Transportation Committee.