RICHMOND, Va. — The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging its members in Virginia to contact their state legislators in opposition to plans by Gov. Ralph Northam and others to eliminate the state's periodic vehicle-safety inspection program.
Virginia, one of only 15 states to require a vehicle safety inspection program, mandates annual inspections.
In his recent budget briefing, however, Mr. Northam said the program is an unnecessary expense for Virginia motorists.
"(D)ata shows that there is no connection between highway safety and these inspections," he wrote.
Along with repealing safety inspections, Mr. Northam proposed raising the state's gasoline tax to pay for state transportation programs and halving the state's vehicle registration fees, the ASA said.
Along with Mr. Northam's statement, members of the Virginia Senate and House of Representatives also have introduced bills to repeal the safety inspection requirement, according to the ASA.
The ASA disputed Mr. Northam's assertions, noting that studies from the University of Texas at Austin and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation show that periodic vehicle safety inspections improve vehicle safety.
"Regular safety inspections by a qualified technician can identify and repair most safety issues arising from normal wear and tear on the vehicle," ASA Washington Representative Robert Redding said.
To send a letter on vehicle inspections to the Virginia legislature, click here.