During this morning’s usual traffic jam on Mopac, I drove almost the entire distance to work behind an old Mercedes diesel that was billowing huge clouds of noxious bluish smoke. Having just renewed my car registration, which included a notice to this effect, I recalled that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ, formerly TNRCC) has a “Smoking Vehicle Program” whereby, if you provide a vehicle plate number, date of observation, approximate time and location, TCEQ will send a letter to the registered owner encouraging them to repair their vehicle. (According to the website, it’s illegal in Texas to operate a vehicle that emits visible smoke for more than 10 consecutive seconds, but this is an advisory rather than an enforcement program.)
You can submit a smoking vehicle report online at:
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/smokingvehicles.html
Try it. Might not actually do any good, but it’s still vaguely satisfying.
Ah, you found my favorite way to constructively vent road rage! I just hope I don’t have an accident one of these days as I scrawl a license number on my hand while doing 75 down MoPac…
The other thing I’ve considered is having little cards printed up which say, “Learn to park, *ssh*le!” and leaving them on windshields in parking lots. Think TCEQ has a website for that, too? 🙂
Ah, today it was you behind that car instead of me! I hate it when I’m stuck behind these cars with nowhere to escape. Sucking on fumes, a great way to start you day. I’ll def remember this site to complain…I love a strongly worded letter every now and again.
Thanks for the site link. Smoking vehicles are one of my pet peeves. I will actually be glad when they make Austin comply with the harsher pollution control standards during annual inspections. I ride bike-pedal and motor-so I know when a vehicle needs valves and rings worked on.