Auto industry trade associations oppose Missouri bill to eliminate vehicle safety inspections

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The Missouri House has approved a bill that would eliminate the state’s vehicle safety inspection program, and the legislation has aftermarket automotive associations concerned.

The Auto Care Association, Automotive Service Association and Tire Industry Association all oppose the legislation and have written state lawmakers emphasizing the importance of protecting the public through regular safety inspections. Included in their letters was data supporting their position, including a University of Texas study which found such inspection programs save lives and enhance safety, and actually argued for additional inspection items, like tire age and recall information.

“Study after study has demonstrated that these programs prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths,” the Automotive Service Association letter said. “ASA has used the Missouri program as an example for other states of a successful vehicle safety inspection program. Data collected by Missouri in years past has been helpful in better understanding the importance of these programs by comparing states that have vehicle safety inspection programs with those states that do not.”

All three organizations agree that vehicles need to be able to meet safety standards for repair and maintenance if they are going to be on the road, especially given that the average age of vehicles on the road is around 12 years old.

“TIA believes the Inspection Program in the state of Missouri saves lives and enhances safety,” the Tire Industry Association wrote. “Strong research has been conducted to support this claim. Removing the state inspection program could lead to more fatalities on Missouri roads, unsafe vehicles, and a loss of revenue to businesses and the state.”

The legislation is now under further consideration by the state Senate.