High mileage could mean more inspections

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner says she'll see whether the state's emissions testing vendor might be able to also conduct cursory safety checks of the high-mileage vehicles it tests.

But Commissioner Melody Currey told the General Assembly's Transportation Committee Wednesday that proposed new vehicle inspections, including one for vehicles with more than 100,000 miles, are unnecessary.

Currey said the emissions vendor might be able to check seat belts, wiper blades, headlights and blinkers on 100,000-mile-plus vehicles, but she does not favor increasing fees to conduct such a review.

Two bills have been proposed requiring DMV inspections of vehicles with more than 100,000 miles and requiring annual safety inspections for all motor vehicles. Currey said historical data show no statistically significant correlation between mechanical failure of vehicles and accident rates.