Sensors, cameras to record tailpipe emissions in California

[Newsjock]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/12382248.htm

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Sensors and video cameras on Southern California freeways could begin recording pollutants spewing from tailpipes by early next year as part of a program to reduce smog levels in the nation's smoggiest region.

The program, perhaps the largest of its kind, would measure vehicles entering freeways in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside.

The sensors measure pollutants as vehicles accelerate and the cameras snap an image of the license plates.

There's even an incentive to getting caught.

Owners of smoky clunkers would receive letters informing them that the government would help pay to fix or scrap the vehicles. Between 10,000 to 20,000 of the dirtiest vehicles would be spotted, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

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[Tyranny_R_US]

1. How soon until they start mounting radar cameras that record you speed?

Just imagine the fraud that will be perpetrated by the large corperations running the cameras.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

2. They're called speed cameras.

And they already exist in many parts of the world.

[skeeterintexas]

3. We've alread got that

In the Dallas area, they set up these traps on the freeway entrance ramps so you can't escape them. It checks your emissions and takes a photo of your license and mails you a fine.

Same with the speed traps on the streets. Speed...photo...ticket...pay up.

[saigon68]

7. Another reason to stay at home

[Tyranny_R_US]

8. I love your sig I wish I could put it on a tee-shirt :)

[saigon68]

11. Go for it.

I saw it on one back in 1973 at UW Wisconsin in Green Bay at the "vets club"

[KareBear]

4. We have those in St. Louis as well

Mobile vans will go around and park on entrance ramps to the interstate. You never know where they will be. They measure your exhaust and take a picture of your license plate. If you pass the inspection they send you a notice in the mail and you can just pay them instead of going in to an inspection station to get your exhausted tested with the car inspection.

[Betsy Ross]

5. OOH, OOH

I better get to LA to score some money to fix my car! Just kidding.

[phusion]

6. This is strange...

We have to get car emissions tested every year or so here. This is done at one of many private companies that are licensed by the state.

If it does not pass, we can't register our car.

What's the difference?

I just don't see the need for something like this. It's a big waste of money...Who's the corporate lobbyist that convinced lawmakers to do this?

[Megahurtz]

9. Now THAT'S Bizzare! n/t

[shanti]

10. the exhaust problem is also

here in sacramento. i live pretty close to a major freeway and the leaves on my orange trees are COVERED with a black soot, as are the oranges. :-(

btw, the BAR (bureau of automotive repair) had this program for awhile back in 98/99, but had to end it because of lack of money.