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California Considers Electronic License Plates

This has “bad idea” written all over it. 

As electronic highway billboards flashing neon advertisements become more prevalent, the next frontier in distracted driving is already approaching — ad-blaring license plates.

The California Legislature is considering a bill that would allow the state to begin researching the use of electronic license plates for vehicles. The move is intended as a moneymaker for a state facing a $19 billion deficit.

The device would mimic a standard license plate when the vehicle is in motion but would switch to digital ads or other messages when it is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light. The license plate number would remain visible at all times in some section of the screen.

In emergencies, the plates could be used to broadcast Amber Alerts or traffic information.

Posted by Owen at 2140 hrs
Politics + Politics - General + Technology

1. If there’s one thing Legislatures are good at, it’s coming up with new and innovative ways to take more of our money.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 21, 2010 at 2221 hrs
   
   
   

2. good perfect post thanks

   Posted by game download on June 22, 2010 at 0753 hrs
   
   
   

3. If there’s one thing Legislatures are good at, it’s coming up with new and innovative ways to take more of our money.

   Which is why taxes are probably lower now than they have been in my entire lifetime.  (Federal, at least.)

   Posted by scott on June 22, 2010 at 1003 hrs
   
   
   

4. ... thanks to the Bush tax cuts (at least for the next six months)

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 22, 2010 at 1033 hrs
   
   
   

5. This has ?bad idea? written all over it.

   Why? Please explain your thinking

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 22, 2010 at 1033 hrs
   
   
   

6. I don’t like it simply because our lives are already too filled with advertising of one kind or another.  And I believe it might be distracting, too. 

   If I were king of the world i’d drive a car with all branding removed.  No logos, no manufacturer names, no model names, no dealer stickers, no license plates, no parking decals, no nothing.  Inside or out.  What a breath of fresh air it would be.

   Posted by scott on June 22, 2010 at 1049 hrs
   
   
   

7. Here are just a few questions not answered by the article:

   How will these be powered?  I assume they must tap the car for power.  The extra drain might be slight, but it will still be an added load on the battery.  The alternator will have to work a little extra to charge the battery.  The engine will have to work harder to run the alternator.  This will reduce fuel economy - albeit very slightly.  However, when installed on all the cars in California, that will be a significant increase.

   How will they know whether or not the car is moving?  Will they tap into the on-board computer? Older cars do not have sophisticated computers.  Will there be a GPS unit in the license plate?  That would imply the state could (would?) track the location and travel histories of the cars with these plates.  That scares wingbats like me.

   Posted by Leonard on June 22, 2010 at 1319 hrs
   
   
   

8. BTW: methinks post #2 is from a spambot.

   Posted by Leonard on June 22, 2010 at 1322 hrs
   
   
   

9. @Scott: that’s wholly un-American, borderline socialist. no one gets to brag about how much they spent on their car since it doesn’t have identifying marks. tsk tsk

   @Leonard: duh

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 22, 2010 at 1504 hrs
   
   
   

10. So George’s vision of America is bragging about the car one drives….  speaks volumes…

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 22, 2010 at 1508 hrs
    
    
    

11. I’m sure George meant that as a joke. 

    I just think having a car without branding and advertising would be so .. psychologically soothing.  Maybe I’m suffering from a modern overload, having reached some kind of saturation point.  Too many ads, too many signs, too many logos, TMI… and most of it is so tasteless and artless.

    Posted by scott on June 22, 2010 at 1515 hrs
    
    
    

12. Don’t you kids read:
    http://www.amazon.com/All-Consuming-Century-Gary-Cross/dp/0231113137/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277243094&sr=8-1

    Consumer culture IS America, especially cars. Take away brands and differentiation of class, and it all falls apart (or becomes Soviet)

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 22, 2010 at 1646 hrs
    
    
    

13. I think it is theft.  They have a legitimate need to have a license, but when they take over MY PROPERTY to make money on advertising, it is just plain theft.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 22, 2010 at 2319 hrs
    
    
    

14. If you can get ads, that implies that you have to have some kind of wireless connectivity…

    I can’t wait until someone hacks it and displays porn on it…

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2010 at 0638 hrs
    
    
    

15. Why not just stream live video if stuck in traffic you can catch a few innings of the game.
    Should we be displaying beer commercials to people while driving?
    What about political ads? no doubt at the discretion of the state, gee I wonder what party will be catered too.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 23, 2010 at 0922 hrs
    
    
    

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