Ads on License Plates

There are vanity plates or what some call personalized license plates, and then there are specialty plates that represent a cause. What about plates that advertise? Plates that are really pre-programmed screens similar to those in elevators or information-access points that would show a pixilated display on the car's standard license plate when in motion, but when the car stops for more than three or four seconds, it begins to show advertisements.

 
If it sounds like science fiction, think again as the state of California is already looking into allowing such plates to help boost the state's $19 billion budget deficit.

 
How will traffic cops see plates numbers when needed you might ask? The plate is designed to switch to the standard plate setting when coming within a certain distance of a police cruiser due to sensors in the license plate and in the cruiser.

 
There are pros and cons of the plate. The pros being the money it could raise. How would it work? The proposal is that the motorist pays extra for the plate to the state's department of motor vehicle. In exchange, that motorist could receive money from advertisers to show their ads while driving around. The plates could also be used to generate Amber Alerts or traffic information, but its uncertain as to whether the motorist is paid for these systems. Whatever the ad is, it has to be preapproved. This could include private messages that the driver wants to show.

 
California, the state of technology and computers, feels such plates show the innovativeness of the state. The flip side of the plates is when computer hackers get into systems, as everybody knows they do, no matter how sophisticated or protected the data may be. A hacker could not only put up their own messages, mess with somebody's personal messages, but on a more serious note, change the plate number and disguise the vehicle. And what about rear-end collisions? These plates aren't made of steel which bend and flex with car crashes - the computer monitor would be destroyed, losing the drivers plate information instantly.

 
The citizens of California are more concerned about the safety hazards the plates could represent in having people driving around with television screens on the rear end of their cars. The question is whether drivers will pay more attention to the plates than the road and other drivers. The state of California says the plates will only play ads when the car is at a standstill - such as at a traffic light or possibly in traffic congestion. But doesn't one still need to be paying attention even when going from a standstill to motion?

 
California isn't the only state looking into these types of plates. Florida is also studying a prototype that is similar. England and Australia are also looking into the idea.

 
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety is also looking into the matter but for different reasons. They feel there is already too much advertising clutter trying to capture peoples attention that now drivers just don't notice ads. Not to mention, most drivers are too busy with their cell phones to notice one more piece of advertising.

 

 Will the state of California approved the plates? It is hard to tell, but it is definitely on the table for further discussion.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used car Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.