Features

Smog enforcements of cars from Mexico nonexistent

The Associated Press
Tuesday September 26, 2000

 

SAN DIEGO — A U.S. law intended to keep heavy polluting cars in Mexico from entering California has yet to be enforced, even though it went into effect 17 months ago. 

Federal border inspectors have not imposed a fine or denied entry to a single motorist because of confusion among the agents, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday. 

Many drivers have voluntarily complied with the requirement that their vehicles pass a California smog test. But the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Brian Bilbray, said delayed enforcement means that some cars are entering the United States that should not be. 

“The grace period darn well should be over by now,” said Bilbray, R-Imperial Beach. “We should be moving from the grace period to serious enforcement.” 

The congressman planned to meet with U.S. Customs Service officials to discuss the matter. 

Mexican cars, on average, produce three times more pollution than U.S vehicles because they are older or lack emissions control equipment. 

The new federal law applies to the about 7,000 workers, students and others with cars registered in Mexico who cross regularly into San Diego County. 

All must meet the state’s smog standards and carry California license plates and insurance under the law, which went into effect with a great deal of fanfare in the spring of 1999. 

Besides hitting repeat violators with fines of up to $400 or denying them entry, the measure allows federal authorities to impound vehicles. 

Federal officials in San Diego said they have waited for months for instructions from Washington on how to enforce the sanctions. 

“It hasn’t been clarified who is supposed to impose the federal penalty,” said Ed Castorena, a Customs supervisor 

Since the law took effect, the California Highway Patrol has posted officers at the border for four to six hours on weekdays.  

Drivers in apparent violation of the smog law get written warnings. 

But because no one tracks repeat offenders, the only way to catch them is if an officer recognizes a previously warned motorist or the driver volunteers the information.