While I watched and chatted with the inspection people and the police officers, I began to realize that with the success ratio (infraction finding) they were achieving, this is going to get bigger. This is not going to go away. As I was informed as to what violations each vehicle had, I realized that this is a valuable service to the public! The most amazing stuff came in from the street! That truck in the first picture had a broken frame - it was towed, and the whole family in it had to 'find' there way home! The white Caddie getting the windows checked - allowable light passing is down to 35%, this vehicle was 14%! Ticketed. Chrysler 300 - 17%, and no front license plate. Another truck (crew cab, long box GMC) sounded like it had a bad exhaust leak - wrong, no exhaust! The Cavalier had big holes in the floor! Another good one - a tow truck failed miserably, the driver/owner a mechanic who had done his own safety inspection and passed it! Inspection License pulled (likely) and towed. A tow truck towed! Several Dr. Hook tow trucks stood by, wheeling them off as they failed.
I learned that the Holiday Inn had complained they had to pay a security company to guard their parking lot Sundays, so asked the Police to "do something about it". They decided the inspection station would be "something". Same story with the Sobeys on Main St.
I found it was absolutely amazing to see what people dared to drive around in. How could anyone with an IQ take their vehicles out during this time, let alone "anytime", when there are things wrong with them that, if discovered, will get them a ticket or a tow?
What bothers me the most is that when they find so much bad stuff, how is someone going to discourage them enough to stop it?
I have good information that of the total 58 vehicles inspected, 54 failed and 16 were towed!
About one-half the vehicles brought in were "cruiser" type vehicles, out for the Sunday drive. The other half were the Joe Publics who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (their perspective). I'm happy to report none of the vehicles were the classics, muscle cars or collector cars that "we" drive.
When I first arrived at the Sobeys location I witnessed a blue Chev PU dropping the rear end (air bagged) and then was driving away. I caught up to him and asked him about that. He said that he is brought in nearly every Sunday night and that the Inspector remembers him and basically sends him on his way. His first time in, however, resulted in a ticket for numerous infractions that he had, and he had rectified them all. He figures that until all the WPD patrolmen get to recognize his vehicle he will continue to be "targeted". He bears no malice about this, other than the "hassle factor", and concedes the "targeting" is simply because his vehicle looks "suspect" due to it's very low ride height (lowered).
So, as far as some claims of "targeting", yes, there is. But, it is a natural when the vehicle stands out the way most do. If someone insists on cruising with black windows, blackened tailight lenses, faulty exhaust, over-powered headlights, no front plate, lowered past the scub line stance, over-powered fog lights, excessively raised suspensions or lettering across the back window (just to name the most common - not even mentioning the 'true' faults like a burnt out out brake light) then they will be targeted.
I hope that all the Manitoba Association of Automobile Clubs members will heed the warning and ensure their members have safe vehicles on the streets. Especially Sundays.
Makes me think it is a good time to remind all clubs that NAACC has a club vehicle inspection guide that could be used to do some self-policing.
Everyone drive safe please.
Gord Forman
Safety/Legislation
Manitoba Association of Automobile Clubs
