Smog Check Program - sunsetWe 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.

1. Smog Check Program

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. In an effort to reduce smog, many states
have developed smog checking programs in
an effort to help to reduce tailpipe
emissions.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. How Effective Is The Smog Check Program

10. Now that the program
is well established in
California, evidence is
available to be analyzed
as to its effectiveness.

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

12. 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.

13. In fact, the
California Smog
Check program
exempts 2001
model year vehicles
or older.

14. Some say that these vehicles should not be
exempted because they emit so much
atmospheric pollution.

15. 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.

16. Smog Check Buy Back Program

17. 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.

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

19. 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.