For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
7073
July 13, 2007
EMPHASIS: Motor Vehicle Inspection

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to make the public aware of motor vehicle inspection activity from January 1 through May 31, 2007. The Patrol takes seriously the responsibility of administering the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program in Missouri. This program is one of many ways the Patrol serves and protects the citizens of Missouri.

Current information indicates there are 19,591 active inspector/mechanics and 4,576 active inspection stations statewide. Thus far in 2007, 189 new stations have been assigned, 135 previously terminated stations (voluntary or involuntary) have been reinstated, and 213 stations have terminated the inspection program.

There are 62 motor vehicle inspection personnel assigned to the nine troops throughout the state. During the first five months of 2007, these employees performed 9,740 station audits. Sixty-six undercover investigations have been completed, which combined with complaint investigations and self initiated investigations resulted in the suspension or revocation of 54 stations or inspector/mechanics, and the issuance of 74 written warnings and 45 uniform citations. Statewide, 1,246,092 inspection stickers and 54,040 motorcycle decals have been issued in the first five months of this year.

Additional activity from January 1 through May 31, 2007, includes:

766 vehicle identification number (VIN) verifications performed.

868 abandoned vehicle examinations performed.

5,274 salvage/rebuilt vehicle examinations completed.

As a result of the abandoned vehicle and salvage/rebuilt examinations, 21 stolen vehicles were recovered. The market value of those recovered vehicles is $201,110.

MVI personnel inspected 12,252 school buses. Of those, 10,657 passed inspection. The total number of buses rejected (minor defects) was 1,383. Inspectors placed 212 buses out of service (major defects).

“I commend the Patrol’s motor vehicle inspection personnel for their dedication and hard work,” said Colonel Keathley. “This area of the Patrol is tasked with identifying defective vehicles and causing them to be repaired or removed from the highways. Since 1969, when Missouri created its inspection program, an average of one million defects have been identified each year. Making sure the vehicles on Missouri’s roadways are in good condition is a way to reduce the number of traffic crashes in our state.”

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