Long Island Official Wants Sandy-Damaged Cars Junked

A Long Island, N.Y., town official is calling for vehicles damaged in Superstorm Sandy to be scrapped for salvage so they can’t be resold.

Smithtown Councilman Thomas McCarthy tells Newsday he fears the vehicles, many corroded by saltwater, may wind up on out-of-state used car lots.

McCarthy, a former auto dealer, says many states don’t require vehicle titles to indicate a car may have had flood damage. He says destroying vehicles is the only way to ensure they’re not resold.

He called on state lawmakers to draft legislation requiring storm-damaged cars to be scrapped for salvage.

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick says he’d consider drafting legislation if it appears current statutes are inadequate.

According to insurance industry estimates, approximately 230,000 vehicles in the region were damaged or destroyed by Sandy.