Why do have to do emissions/saftey tests on your car in some states, but not in others.?

Question:
I went to North Dakota for a wedding last month and I saw ALOT of vehicles blowing out black and blue smoke, broken winshields, ect....I mean, some cars, driving behind them was like a skunk in your face!
In NY, I have to do these inspection/emissions tests. Shouldn't everyone be required to do these tests? How dumb this is, really? Just because there are a half million people living in that WHOLE state doesn't mean they can have cars blowing out crap.
Does anyone know the logic behind this?
thanks!

Answers:

Does anyone else always have a problem starting their Plymouth Neon?

Your right there aren't many people in ND. That's what the Feds look at populous per sq. mile. More people=more cars=more pollution. Feds mandate those states to implement anti pollution measures or lose Fed money. So different states have different programs.

Whats the most spent on an MOT?

i live in the mi we used to have the emmisions test but no hass insurance here any way so nobody did it and if you lived in the d area you just got like a honda for you emmisions test so your guarentted to pass it so your done awy with it............but its done because you ever fly to la their is a thick yellow barrior of the city that emissions from cars and other things i dont no way some peoople have it and some dont i personally wouldnt like having them

tranny issues?

One word...

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Politics.

something is leaking from my car and i dunno what is it?

It's gotta be the Canadians right across the border.

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