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Car Safety Tickets On The Rise In New Jersey

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police in New Jersey are writing more tickets for safety violations in the nearly four years since the state ended motor vehicle safety inspections.

A review of court records by The Record newspaper finds police issued nearly 100,000 tickets for poorly maintained lights last year.

Tickets for chipped or broken windshields rose nearly 39 percent. There was a 10 percent increase of vehicles ticketed for worn tires.

Car Safety Tickets On The Rise In New Jersey

Sal Risalvato, head of the Gasoline Convenience Store and Automotive Association, says his mechanics are noticing more safety problems.

"Surprisingly, many motorists are declining to have repairs done and waiting until it is more serious," he told WCBS 880's Sean Adams.

Citations for faulty brakes, driving with no brakes and faulty mufflers dropped between 2009 and 2014.

The Motor Vehicle Commission has three mobile vans to make roadside inspections. About 69 percent of the vehicles that were spot-checked passed last year.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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