Are Peeling Inspection Stickers a Real Problem?

More than a year after the problem was first brought to light by numerous media outlets, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's vehicle inspection and emissions inspection stickers are continuing to peel off many motorists' windshields.

In this July 21, 2010 story, Fox 43 in south central Pennsylvania reported that PennDOT officials hoped "to have all of the peeling inspection stickers out of circulation within the next 12 to 15-months."

That has not happened, however.

Although it may not seem like a big deal, stickers that fall off must be replaced at a cost to the motorist. The cost to replace a sticker is around $4. 

Motorists who fail to replace missing stickers risk being stopped by police and fined for a violation of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

Likewise, attempts to tape or otherwise re-affix stickers to a windshield could land a driver in hot water. Placing tape over a sticker could be construed as tampering or altering it, which is also a violation of the vehicle code.

Peeling stickers themselves might also raise the suspicions of police, as the dates on the stickers are typically harder to read if they're peeled back.

Only recently ; a stop that led to other charges being filed against the man.

So, do you think PennDOT's peeling inspection stickers are a real problem? Do you believe they might be indicators of other violations or criminal activity? Or should the police give motorists a pass on the stickers, since they have been deemed defective?

Finally, do you think motorists should have to pay to replace defective stickers?

Take our poll and leave a comment below to let us know how you feel!