I think there is probably a big disjoint in what cops think “simple maintenance” is and what the owner thinks “simple maintenance” is. That’s the problem and usually results in the owner arcing up and the number of defects then increases proportionally.
Me, i tend to think a little more like the police, that ones car should be roadworthy at all times but some defects can occur without warning. So a blown tail light could be considered a lack of simple maintenance but bald tyres don’t occur overnight and are more telling of the owners maintenance habits (lack thereof) while being a huge safety risk.
Such lax maintenance habits, where tyres are bald, don’t garner the owner any sympathy. Simply put, if they can’t afford to drive a roadworthy vehicle, they should learn to ride a bike.
Also, poorly executed mods that are obviously illegal and alters the vehicles behaviour significantly can be death traps (lowered utes carrying heavy loads in the back being no exception) or they belch lots of pollution that others then breath in and suffer the ill effects.
Seriously, either the owner doesn’t know the roadworthy rules (they should) or they don’t car (they should). Not understanding or simply ignoring the law is not an excuse but oddly with the later types they whine like stuck pigs when they are caught out.
However, I agreeing part with you
@vc commodore. What I also don’t like is the huge variance that exists when people are pulled up and their cars inspected. The law should be clear and applied consistently. But probably where we differ is that I’d rather a very clinical and methodical interpretation with no regard to the owner’s whining.
Cars should always be roadworthy so I’d even send owners with blown brake, indicator or headlamps to the pits. Why? it’s easy for the owner to check them before you drive off and it also shouldn’t be the polices job to tell you everything that’s wrong with your car. Police should only determine if you can safely drive it away to get it fixed or whether it needs to be trucked away.
In my mind if they find one fault you should be forced to get the car to roadworthy condition which must entail a trip to the mechanics/panel shop and inspection station so it can be fully checked out. The cost of compliance? well consider it just as if it’s a fine for not maintaining your vehicle correctly
With a consistently applied hard line, maybe more vehicles would be roadworthy cause I see lots that simply shouldn’t be on the roads
