US Authoritarianism

One can be pro manufacturer and seller facing regulation which ensures a vital baseline level of safety when there is a strong incentive for sellers to sell cheap unsafe cars without wanting government to do individual inspections on the consumer level. The logical argument is that the benefit of the former is massive and accrues to everyone whilst the benefit of the latter is very modest.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office found the benefit too small to quantify for example. Even when the US withheld highway funds based on rolling out such a policy only 31 states implemented. Now that that stick no longer exists only 16 states do so. Washington which does not has a better safety record than 10 of the 16 which do. Furthermore WA is considering in HB 1513 forbidding police offers from making traffic stops for equipment violations, except to “protect against an immediate, serious threat” to safety. No more hurr durr you have an issue with your car that's why I'm stopping you and searching you for drugs cause I smelled something funny.

https://www.thenorthernlight.com/stories/road-rules-should-washington-state-have-vehicle-safety-inspections,24288

https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/wa/2023-2024/bills/WAB00019790/#actions