Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections A Decentralized Approach 1

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Vehicle Inspection Division Michael Smith Manager, Administrative & Technical Support Vehicle Inspection Division Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Motor Vehicles 2

Pennsylvania’s Safety Inspection Program 3 Overview Decentralized Approach Auditing Key Partnerships Measuring Success

17 States Require Vehicle Safety Inspections 4

Decentralized Approach to Inspections Decentralized network –Over 17,000 certified, privately-owned safety inspection stations –8,000 of those stations also provide emissions inspections Program Oversight –Quality Assurance Officers (QAO) provide oversight and perform audits –45 QAOs covering both safety and emissions inspection programs in 67 counties 5

Overview: Pennsylvania’s Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Consumer cost approximately $27 –Market Driven –No cost to Department of Transportation Certified Official Inspection Stations –Inspection and Repairs can be completed at the same location –Can have safety and emissions inspections performed at the same location Sticker Enforcement 6

Overview: Pennsylvania’s Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program 11 million vehicles inspected each year –“Day One” Annual: –Light duty vehicles and trucks Semi-annual: –Heavy duty trucks and commercial vehicles –School buses given additional inspection 7 Passenger cars TrucksMotorcycles Trailers Heavy duty trucks School buses Reconstructed Specially constructed

Inspection Categories 8 Regulations

Benefits and Challenges Benefits Customer Choice Customer Convenience Market-driven Pricing Reduces vehicle failure, preventing crashes that result in injury or death Challenges Maintaining program oversight Program Integrity Consumer Advocacy Mechanic training Industry communication Industry changes 9

Key Partnership in a Decentralized Approach 10

Key Partnership in a Decentralized Approach Inspection Advisory Board: –Review and provide input to: Regulations Inspection Process and Procedures Inspection Technician Training 11

Measuring Success: Safety Inspection Study 2009 study by Cambridge Systematics looked at effectiveness of motor vehicle safety inspection programs Modeling showed that states with motor vehicle safety inspection programs have significantly fewer fatal crashes than states without programs 12 “Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program is an effective program that reduces fatal crashes and saves lives in Pennsylvania”

Measuring Success: Study Results Pennsylvania can be expected to have between 115 and 169 fewer fatal crashes each year This corresponds to between 127 and 187 fewer fatalities annually than if PA did not have a vehicle safety inspection program 13 “Nationally, vehicle safety programs appear to be a significant factor in lowering fatal crashes.” Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 2009

Measuring Success: Study Results 14 Cambridge Study: 0Program%20Effectiveness%20Study.pdf

Presenter Information Thank You 15