# 1-800-CUT-SMOG **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 20, 2000, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-800-cut-smog/18015 "2000-04-20T12:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2000, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-800-cut-smog/18015/1 "2000-04-20T12:31:00Z")
In California, vehicles that are emitting too much pollution may be reported by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG. So you’re driving along and you see an '82 Chevy, a '78 Toyota, or what-have-you smoking a bit too much. Do you call? There are a _lot_ of poorly-maintained vehicles in the L.A. area, and reporting them will get them a letter from the Air Quality Management District (I think – “AQMD”, anyway) informing the owner that the vehicle must pass a smog test, or taken out of service. I think driving a grossly-polluting car after the warning may result in a fine. Call the AQMD, report the violator, and reduce pollution a little. But. People who drive old, dirty, poorly-maintained cars tend not to have a lot of surplus cash. Reporting these people would impose an economic burden they might not be able to afford. Many of these people might be driving without insurance (because it is so expensive) and they may lose their driving privileges too. If you report them, then you’ll know that it was _you_ who caused them grief. Bad Karma, dude! Is it better to report gross polluters and help to clean the environment; or to not report and avoid imposing an economic burden on people who can ill-afford to make the necessary repairs? Do what’s good for society; or do what’s good for your Fellow Man? * * * “I must leave this planet, if only for an hour.” – Antoine de St. Exupéry Are you a turtle? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2000, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-800-cut-smog/18015/2 "2000-04-20T12:53:00Z")
Just jerkin’ your chain here a bit, **Johnny:** isn’t “what’s good for society” also “what’s good for my fellow man”? 😃 ## What I mean is, must they be mutually exclusive? “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2000, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-800-cut-smog/18015/3 "2000-04-20T12:58:00Z")
Notthemama, Yeah, I thought about that when I posted it. I think most people here consider themselves individuals, rather than part of society. If something causes them pain they say, “Why is this happening to _me_” before they say, “Oh, I should take care of that right away. The planet will be better for it.” ## So. Would you call? “I must leave this planet, if only for an hour.” – Antoine de St. Exupéry Are you a turtle? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2000, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-800-cut-smog/18015/4 "2000-04-20T13:08:00Z")
Oh. By “here”, I meant in the U.S. And consider my chain jerked. 😃 * * * “I must leave this planet, if only for an hour.” – Antoine de St. Exupéry Are you a turtle?