DC to End Private Car Safety Checks

D.C.'s streets may soon get a little more chaotic-- at least that's what some people think.

Starting October 1, residents will no longer need to get a safety inspection on cars registered in the District. Some residents tell FOX 5 they fear there will be more accidents.

Paul Mahoney was at the D.C. inspection station on Tuesday morning. He looked on as his daughter's car was inspected. He wants to know the other cars on the road are in good shape, too.

In Virginia, there are annual safety inspections. In Maryland, a car has to be inspected when it changes ownership, but only about 20 states have some kind of safety inspection.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty says in addition to "unburdening" residents, the change will also save the city $400,000.

"Washington D.C. is now following best practices. The majority of jurisdictions do not require regular inspections. Why Washington D.C. has been doing it all these years - it's just one of those things. We hadn't come into the 21st century," said Fenty.

A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation study says the inspections save lives. A North Carolina study says the inspections make no difference at all.

In D.C., commercial vehicles like taxis and delivery trucks will still have to have regular safety inspections. The safety inspections are going away, but the emissions tests will continue. Those are mandated by the federal government.