LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A Hot Springs woman believes bringing back vehicle inspection in the state could keep our roads safer and save lives.
Retired real estate agent, Bobbie Taylor of Hot Springs is quite familiar with Arkansas highways. Over the years, Taylor has seen plenty of vehicles that she feels simply don't belong on the road.
“I can see the difference of the vehicles since they stopped using the state inspections," she said.
Vehicles are inspected in other states to ensure that it meets state and local vehicle safety and/or emission requirements. Taylor wants the state of Arkansas to bring it back in an effort to keep everyone safer on the roadways. Act 974 of 1997 removed the requirement for a state vehicle inspection. It's known as "the act to streamline the vehicle registration process."
"The legislature did some research that showed there wasn't necessarily a significant impact lowering accidents so I think that may have played a role," said Taylor.
Scott Hardin, Department of Finance and Administration spokesperson, said the state has since shifted the responsibility over to law enforcement. "We're 20 years in and obviously now, law enforcement has the ability to police this if they see someone driving without a headlight, tail light, they can pull them over," said Hardin.
But with talks of raising the speed limit from 70 to 75 mph on state highways, Taylor is concerned now more than ever.
“I think it's a little fast for that to happen before we make sure that the vehicles are safe,” she said. “I mean it could cost someone their lives.”
Hardin added, "It's a valid concern you certainly hope people are going to be responsible with the speed limit and you hope people keep up with their vehicles."
The concern hasn't come up in some time, but that doesn't mean the law can't be re-introduced.
“Someone in the legislation would have to carry that ball and introduce legislation that would make it a requirement again and then our department would implement that,” said Hardin.
Arkansas is one of 11 states that does not require safety, emissions or VIN inspections.