California Crackdown on Modified Cars
$5 million in federal money will fund a Sacramento, California effort to stop drivers in modified cars.

Police in Sacramento, California announced 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.



http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/05/576.asp

Haha funny. Here's a link to all what's legal and illegal.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html

This sounds like a slanted article.
Officers should be able to write tickets for illegal tint, measurably loud exhaust, and obstructing windows with stupid wings. They also should be able to write a ticket for other illegal stuff like no cats, off road parts, etc. Many street racers are doing this.
In Dade county (Miami) they passed a law that says if you can hear the stereo from 25 feet or more away from the vehicle, you are in violation. Maybe I don't agree with it, but it is measurable and definable, and not open to interpretation like "too loud" is.
The pulling over is profiling, which I love. Why would you pull over my mom in her 4 door accord with stock rims when you have ricer boy next to her? Same as why would you search her when Abdullah wearing large black backpack is standing next to her? Common sense. Screw the ACLU.

I don't agree with tickets that are "up to officers discretion" as these lead to abuse. They are also easily defeated in court and meant to give the cops a tool to be a PITA with. They already have plenty of these and don't need more. EX. Window too dirty, headlights dirty, tires low, etc.

Dems strike again with another let's protect everyone from ourselves law!