New Poll Finds Vehicle Emission Testing Motivates Many Minnesotans
24 February 1999
New Poll Finds Vehicle Emission Testing Motivates Many Minnesotans to Keep Their Vehicles in Working Order
Previous Findings Show Widespread Support for the Vehicle Inspection Program
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 24 -- According to a new public opinion
poll, many visits by Twin Cities residents to automobile repair shops are
influenced by a desire to pass the state's vehicle inspection test. The poll
was conducted by Minneapolis-based Decision Resources, Ltd. for Envirotest,
which operates the state's vehicle inspection program.
The inspection program, which is currently being debated by the State
Legislature, is supported by a wide range of health, environmental and
business organizations, including: the American Lung Association of Minnesota;
the Izaak Walton League, Minnesota Division; the Sierra Club; the Minnesota
Center for Environmental Advocacy; and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1991, the inspection program has led to the repair and removal of more
than 600,000 "high polluting" vehicles, as well as kept more than 365,000 tons
of carbon monoxide and 25,000 tons of hydrocarbons, including several
cancer-causing compounds, from the air.
"Our data indicates that emission testing influences a number of
residents' visits to the auto repair shop and provides an added preventative
measure in guarding against emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons,"
said Bill Morris, president of Decision Resources Ltd.
-- Vehicle Checks Prior to the Test: Sixteen percent of the poll sample
reported having their vehicle's exhaust system checked by a mechanic before
their last emission test. If there are 1 million vehicles subject to emission
testing in the Twin Cities area, approximately 155,000 vehicles were
pre-checked prior to the actual test.
-- Vehicle Repairs Prior to the Test: Among those owners who had their
vehicle's emission system checked by a mechanic, a majority had repairs prior
to the test to improve their chance of passing. Nine percent of the sample
reported having repairs made to their car's exhaust system or other types of
repairs specifically to increase their chances of passing the test. Assuming
1 million vehicles were subject to emission testing in the metro area,
approximately 88,000 vehicles were repaired prior to the actual test to ensure
passage.
These findings are a follow-up to results from a December 1998 poll that
showed 74 percent of Twin Cities residents support continuation of the vehicle
inspection program. Other key findings from that poll include:
Support Increases if the Program Helps Prevent Ozone Violations
-- Half of those respondents who previously said the emission testing
program should be terminated indicated they would support the program "if it
could help prevent a violation of the federal ozone standard."
-- This finding, combined with the previous question asking whether Twin
Citians support continuation or termination of the program means that support
for emission testing among Twin Cities residents could exceed 85 percent.
Residents Perceive Environmental Benefits of Emission Testing
-- Fifty-two percent believe the emission testing program and resulting
repair work has helped to improve air quality in the Twin Cities, while only
38 percent disagreed.
-- Motor vehicles were cited by 52 percent of the sample as the biggest
contributor to air pollution in the Twin Cities over manufacturing plants
(30 percent).
Support for Current Program Should be Expanded to Trucks and Buses
-- Seventy-nine percent agree that vehicles newer than five years should
be exempted from emission testing (current law).
-- Ninety-one percent said commercial trucks and buses should also be
included in the emission testing program.
Emission testing began in the Twin Cities in 1991 to protect against
rising levels of carbon monoxide. Gasoline-fueled cars, pickups and vans made
in 1976 or later, which are registered or kept in the seven-county metro area,
must be tested annually. As of July 1995, vehicles from the five newest model
years were no longer required to be tested.
Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution in the Twin Cities
metro area. In addition to carbon monoxide, motor vehicles emit hydrocarbons,
including toxic compounds such as benzene and other carcinogens.
February Survey: Telephone interviews of 400 randomly selected metro area
owners/leasers of vehicles subject to emission testing were conducted between
February 10 and 12, 1999. Results are projectable to the entire population of
relevant vehicle owners/leasers in the metro area within + 5.0% in 95 out of
100 cases.
December Survey: 401 Twin Cities residents were interviewed between
December 12 and 14, 1998. Survey results are projectable to the universe of
adult Twin Cities metro area residents within + 5.0% in 95 out of 100 cases.