Smog Check Program

We have all heard to term "smog", but what does it really mean? Smog is defined as fog

or haze combined with smoke and other atmospheric pollutants.

Although some drivers have equipped their cars with devices that can emit a sort of fog or haze for fun, when it comes to our vehicles and how they relate to smog, it is the atmospheric pollutants

component of smog that is most relevant.

In an effort to reduce smog, many states have developed smog checking programs in

an effort to help to reduce tailpipe emissions.

California is such a state and its Smog Check program has been in place for many years

now.

The program requires that motorists must have their vehicles tested each year for excessive emissions and if necessary the owner must make the needed repairs in

order to pass the inspection.

Since a program like Smog Check makes everyone responsible for limiting the

atmospheric pollutants produced by their vehicle, it makes all drivers part of the

solution as well.

And just how much responsibility do we as drivers have for smog? It is estimated that

our vehicles are responsible for approximately 50% of smog forming

emissions nationwide.

How Effective Is The Smog Check Program

Now that the program is well established in

California, evidence is available to be analyzed as to its effectiveness.

Some who have researched to program feel that the program focuses to much on newer cars, which naturally run cleaner than older

models.

This focus, these researchers feel , is misguided due to the fact that although older model vehicle

s account for only 10% of vehicles on the road, they are at the same time responsible for almost

one half of all vehicle emissions.

In fact, the California Smog Check program exempts 2001

model year vehicles or older.

Some say that these vehicles should not be exempted because they emit so much

atmospheric pollution.

Others say that these vehicles are typically owned by lower income individuals and that forcing them to make expensive repairs on

their older vehicles would represent an unfair financial burden upon them.

Smog Check Buy Back Program

To address this issue, the State of California has a vehicle buy back program that allows

for as much as $1000 to be paid to the owner of an older vehicle so that the vehicle can be taken off the road and sold for scrap.

As with any state program, the Smog Check program has its pluses and minuses.

But the overall objective of reducing the degree of atmospheric pollutants that our

vehicles emit makes the Smog Check program one that is worth pursuing.