Shop Press

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle.

From the creative minds at:

FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

Several tips to make brake line removal less of a headache

“Got a seven-foot section of brake line out without dropping the tank, cutting the line, or ruining a fitting. Today was a good day.” I sent that text to a friend of mine the other day. In a past life he was a wrench at a Cadillac dealer, so I think he sort of...

A comprehensive primer on the automotive right to repair debate

I began my wrench-turning career back in the late ‘70s when cars still used carbureted engines with mechanical points ignition systems. I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of what once were primarily mechanical systems controlling major engine and vehicle functions...

What is the best type of air filter? (VIDEO)

Description Air filter elements come in a variety of shapes and designs, but which one is right for you? Nick and Greaser discuss the advantages and drawbacks of three air filter designs, including filtration effectiveness, airflow, serviceability, overall size, and...

The one part of the car you’ll never install for a customer

The title is a bit clickbait-y, but I won’t drag this out. Let me tell you about a part you’ll never get a repair customer to buy willingly: the hood strut.Photo: Mike Apice.How many times have you been working on something, and the hood comes down and clonks ya right...

Should a repair shop be liable for fixing a vehicle involved in a hit and run?

by | Apr 12, 2022

In 2016, 8-year-old Jayanna Powell was killed by a car while walking home from school. The driver fled, and had an accomplice take his damaged Nissan Altima to a body shop in the next county. The shop owner called the police after seeing on TV that they were looking for the vehicle, leading to the driver’s arrest and conviction.

That inspired Pennsylvania lawmakers to recently introduce a bill that would create a system for notifying repair shops of vehicles involved in a serious hit and run accident. If the shop owner gets the notification and doesn’t report a vehicle, they would then be committing a misdemeanor that carries a fine and/or jail time.

“I’ve seen it in my last law enforcement career where someone gets involved in an illegal hit and run and they try to go to a body shop and do a quick cash deal,” a Pennyslvania lawmaker and former U.S. marshal told The Patriot-News. “This kind of holds those body shops to account and I think ultimately will be a very good thing for our law enforcement community.”

The bill doesn’t say exactly how the system would work, but directs the state’s Department of Transportation to develop it. However, some organizations voiced concern about the need to create another alert system like AMBER Alerts, and whether it’s fair to make shop owners responsible. The executive director for the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Pennsylvania – an association representing collision, towing and repair shops – pointed out that owners aren’t always present at their shop, but could be held liable if one of their employees fixes a vehicle without checking the system.

The bill is now set to be considered by the full Pennsylvania Senate. You can learn more and check for updates here.

The articles and other content contained on this site may contain links to third party websites. By clicking them, you consent to Dorman’s Website Use Agreement.

Related Articles

Shop Press Comment Policy

Participation in this forum is subject to Dorman’s Website Terms & Conditions. Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline feedback
View all comments

Get Articles In Your Inbox

Subscribe to receive a monthly email summary of our latest Shop Press stories.

Shop Press

I agree to the above privacy statement and T&Cs

Thanks! You're now subscribed.