Purpose
Nine counties in North Central Texas do not meet federal air quality standards for the pollutant ozone. According to 2006 population estimates, approximately 5.9 million people live in these counties, and during certain conditions, are exposed to unhealthy air. In order for North Central Texas to meet federal air quality standards, it is necessary to address major contributing factors to on-road emissions. The region’s goal is to come into compliance for ozone as early as possible to ensure the greatest quality of life for all residents in North Central Texas.
Description
The North Central Texas Regional Smoking Vehicle Program will advise vehicle owners of possible emission problems they may not be aware of in order to take corrective action. Letters will be mailed to registered owners of suspected smoking vehicles, stating their vehicle was reported anonymously for emitting excessive visible exhaust emissions (smoke). The letters will include brochures explaining the RSVP, and the AirCheck Texas Repair and Replacement Assistance Program. Vehicles registered in the North Central Texas designated nonattainment region may qualify for assistance with emissions-related repairs up to $600, or $3,500 towards the cost of a replacement vehicle. Recipients of smoking vehicle notification letters are encouraged to visit www.nctcog.org/airchecktexas or call 1-800-898-9103 for more information about this program. A Survey will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, inquiring to what type of action the owner took to rectify the problem, if one existed.
How to Report a Smoking Vehicle
The easiest way to report a smoking vehicle is to use the online form at www.smokingvehicle.net. You may also call #SMOKE (#76653) from most wireless phones. If you prefer to call from a land line phone you can dial metro 817-704-2522. Most wireless service providers have made the abbreviated phone number, #SMOKE (#76653), available to their customers free of airtime charges. Click here to see the list of participating #SMOKE wireless service providers.
Motorists may be ticketed for driving a smoking vehicle on Texas roadways. Under Texas law, all motor vehicles, including diesels, are prohibited from emitting visible exhaust emissions for more than ten (10) consecutive seconds. Texas law enforcement agencies may issue citations, punishable by fines up to $1000, to drivers operating a smoking vehicle on public roadways.
Implementation Area
The North Central Texas sixteen-county metropolitan region, encompassing Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties.
Foundation For Support
House Bill 2134 passed by the 77th Texas Legislature; House Bill 1611 passed by the 79th Texas Legislature; Transportation Code, Title 6, 547.605; the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ); the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG); the North Texas Clean Air Coalition; and participating counties.
Select the links below for additional program information:
How to Report a Smoking Vehicle
Online Survey (to be completed by recipients of smoking vehicle notification letters)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common Causes for Smoking Vehicles or Visible Exhaust
Participating Wireless Service Providers
RSVP Brochure - English [PDF]
RSVP Brochure - Spanish [PDF] |
