Police in Illinois are expected to stop 38,000 drivers this year for having windshield obstructions, an increase of 91 percent since 2004, according to an analysis by the Chicago Tribune. Police can--and do--pull drivers over for anything police deem to "materially obstruct" a driver's view. This means anything from handicapped placards to air fresheners. The Tribune article mentions several "gotcha" moments in Illinois when windshield obstructions led to arrests for more serious crimes. In one example, a driver was stopped for having a hanging deodorizer, but then arrested for illegally possessing Xanax. Based on the state's track record for traffic stops, minorities could be disproportionately affected. In general, minorities are 13 percent more likely to get pulled over than white drivers, and 8 percent more likely to be cited for an offense, according to a Illinois at Chicago study. The Chicago Reporter took on a similar topic this spring, reporting on racial profiling in traffic stops in our March/April 2009 issue.

Have you been pulled over for trying to eliminate the smells inside your car? We'd love to hear your stories in the comments section. Criminal Justice, Government and Politics car smells, Chicago Tribune, deodorizer, Illinois, police, pulled over, racial profiling, traffic stop, University of Illinois at Chicago, XanaxOrbit Infant Car Seat Cleaning You are hereHome » Automotive » Rear-view Mirror Decor » Rear View Hanging Boxing GlovesT Shirt Printing In Clearwater FlOnce a car is more than three years old, it must be given an MoT test. Fix Delta Bathtub Faucet Single HandleSince the average car in the UK is seven years old, MoT tests are naturally a familiar feature of car ownership for many drivers.

Unfortunately, some cars that fail their MoTs do so because of issues that could be easily sorted before the test. Carbuyer’s guide explains the basic things you can keep an eye on to boost the chances of your car passing first time. Garages can’t legally charge you more than £54.85 for an MoT, but many garages will charge less in an effort to generate custom, so it could be worth having a look at the price offered by more than one garage in your local area before your car’s MoT is due. If your car fails its MoT, you must have the problem(s) repaired and then have the car retested. If these repairs are carried out within 10 days at the same garage where the car was tested, the retest is free. If you take the car elsewhere to be repaired, then return for the retest, you’ll be charged a partial retest fee. This is 50% of the cost of a full MoT. An MoT is not a service; it’s merely a test to ensure a car meets the basic road-worthiness standards set by the Department of Transport, so you shouldn’t assume that a used car is problem-free just because it recently passed an MoT.

Image 7 of 7 When your car passes its MoT, the certificate you receive may have ‘advisories’ noted on it by the mechanic. These mean that although the car met the standards required to pass the MoT, the mechanic assessing the car spotted issues that are likely to need attention in the near future. If you’re unsure about what the advisories relate to, it’s worth asking about them as some are more serious than others. It’s generally considered good practice to have advisories dealt with even though you aren’t required to do so in order to get the car through its MoT. If you’re planning to sell the car, many buyers will want to see the MoT certificate before they complete the sale - a long list of outstanding advisories could put them off. Checking the level of your car’s fluids should be something you do regularly anyway, but remember to have a look prior to MoT time, as cars have been known to fail the test for being low on windscreen washer fluid. Make sure your engine is switched off and the car is parked on a level surface before checking the oil, screenwash, brake fluid, coolant and power-steering fluid levels.

Don’t open the radiator cap if the engine is warm and have a look at your car’s manual first, as the indicator lines on reservoir tanks can become dirty and hard to read. Ensure your car has plenty of petrol in it as well: the MoT test involves running the engine to check emissions, so don’t drop it off with a near-empty tank. It’s worth pointing out that it’s your responsibility – not the tester’s – to ensure your number plate is clean and visible. The lights above it need to work and it needs to be attached firmly as well. Check all the lights on your car work prior to the test, as any blown bulbs will cause it to fail the MoT. If you don’t feel confident changing a bulb (headlights can be particularly difficult) then mention this before the car goes in for the test, as the garage may be good enough to pop a new bulb in for you beforehand. Check the indicators, headlights (dipped and full beam) brake lights, sidelights and foglights. This is most easily done with someone helping you, but you can check brake lights against a reflective surface and headlight alignment can be checked against a wall or garage door.

Some petrol stations provide a mirror next to the air and water machine for this purpose. Has the way your car stops changed at all recently? A squashy or spongy brake pedal usually indicates a problem with the brakes, as do untoward noises or ‘pulling’ to one side when braking. If your car has rubber on the brake pedals (some sports cars have metal pedals) then this must be in good condition. Your car’s handbrake must hold the car securely, without needing to be yanked to the roofline with brute force. There are complex rules surrounding windscreen cracks, but generally speaking any chip larger than 10mm inside or 40mm outside the area swept by the wipers will cause your car to fail its MoT. The windscreen wipers should be in good condition, free from rips or cracks. They should also clean the windscreen effectively, without smearing. Check the washer jets work, too. If they don’t, first make sure it’s not just a case of low washer fluid. Cleaning the washer jets out with an unfolded paperclip or needle is worth trying, as they can become blocked quite easily.

You should keep a regular eye on your tyres anyway, but the MoT will bring up any faults. Any significant cracks or rips are likely to cause a failure and the tread depth will be checked, too. The legal minimum depth is 1.6mm across the middle section of the tyres – this is approximately the depth of the rim of a 20p piece. Most tyres also have wear indicators – recessed ridges in the gaps between the tread. If they’re on the same level as the main tread instead of being recessed, it’s likely you need new tyres. The tester will probably make an advisory note if your tyres are near the wear limit. The driver's seat must slide backwards and forwards and lock into place smoothly and securely. All the seatbelts in your car should be in good condition and lock up when pulled sharply. They must also secure into their clasps easily. You won’t be able to check your car’s emissions yourself without specialist equipment. However, white, blue or black smoke from the exhaust doesn’t bode well for the MoT.

Similarly, any strange rattles or noises from the engine may indicate your car is producing excessive harmful exhaust gases. If your car sounds louder than usual, this is often a sign of a cracked exhaust – something that almost always results in a failed MoT. Your car’s horn must work in order for it to pass its MoT. Image 5 of 7 MoT testers use their judgement when it comes to bodywork corrosion, but your car will generally fail its MoT if there’s any significant rust within 12cm of an area of ‘structural importance’, such as seatbelt or suspension mounting points. All the door handles must work easily and consistently, as must the boot and bonnet. A little lubricant can remedy sticking door locks, or bonnet and boot releases. Each time you start your car, the series of lights that illuminate on the dashboard before going out represents your car running a quick self-diagnostic. Any lights that stay illuminated indicate a problem in that respective area.