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Illinois

First, the setup. The state has a new law banning license plate covers….

License plate covers, a thin piece of plastic that goes over the plate, often purchased to keep thieves from stealing registration stickers, keep the plate free of bug splatter or improve the overall appearance of a vehicle, are now illegal.

The problem…

“Covers reduce their visibility, especially at night,” Settingsgaard said. “Tinted covers are worse, but even clear covers can obscure. It gets worse as the covers age and yellow.”

Another reason why the covers aren’t well liked by police is many times the tinted ones can make it hard to see from which state the plate was issued.

The question: Do you agree or disagree with this new law? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 9:50 am

Comments

I agree with the police. I had license covers at one time, and they looked good for about a year, but they do yellow and become scarred from bugs, and that does hinder visibility.

License plates have a purpose–to document and regulate–and the police need to be able to clearly see them for that purpose.

Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:00 am
They have the time to pass goofy laws like this but they can’t fund transportation. Spineless.

Comment by Garp Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:07 am
Now let’s get to the truth of the matter. License plate covers can and do sometimes reflect light so the Big Brother’s cameras can’t get a clear picture of your plate number. Heaven forbid they can’t collect tolls or speeding ticket fines.

Comment by Ernest T. Bass Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:09 am
I agree the law has a purpose and tend to agree with the police on this one, it’s hardly an unreasonable request and most people will probably be let off with a warning to remove their cover in the first place, so it doesn’t really hurt anyone. Although, with all the other important matters that need to be addressed, it seems at this point…pointless. But at least we know our legislators can multi-task.

Comment by MR Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:11 am
How do the police in other states manage where front plates are not required? Just another law to produce revenue - or give the police another reason to pull you over.

Comment by Mr. Ethics Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:11 am
Bottom line is they want this in place so their cameras can “catch you” doing something. Those cameras should be illegal in the first place.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:11 am
I agree that traffic cameras that initiate tickets should be illegal, but that doesn’t negate the importance of police officers being able to clearly see license plates.

Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:15 am
Let’s get a Budget and not worry about about license plate covers. This has went on way to long. Taxpayers in this state are now effected by this Battle Royle. They might remember come February and beyond.

Comment by TheMouthoftheSouth Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:17 am
I to believe this law was written to improve the effectivness of cameras. I have seen some tinted plate covers that make it impossible to see the plate you have to wonder why somone would do that.

Comment by FED UP Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:22 am
Have to way in with the others who support it. Police have a difficult enough job, while it may be unintentional, the covers do get dirty, or are even tinted, so there is a definite need to keep plates unobscured. I had a sticker stolen, but it was not a problem because the Secretary of State records the cops tap into reported I had the correct regisration, and thats what they relied on when I was stopped.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:24 am
I don’t agree with the use of cameras but the police and the public should be able to see and read people’s plates, to report hit and runs, drive-by shootings, DUI’s, etc. The plate is their in large part to identify the vehicle and covering the plate can defeat that purpose.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:25 am
I completely disagree with this new law.

The old statute (625 ILCS 5/3-413 read as follows:

“Clear plastic cover are permissible as long as they remain clear and do not obstruct the visibility of the plates.”

I guess I don’t see the need for a new law that bans outright ALL license plate covers when the original statute provided a reasonable exception; that being you can have clear license plate so long as it does not obstruct the visibility of the plates.

To me that seemed like a reasonable compromise between those who wish to have a license plate cover and law enforcement.

Furthermore, tinted license plate cover were already illegal before the passage of this new law.

Comment by SpringfieldJDS Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:27 am
What is wrong with the police trying to stop people from shielding the plates from cameras?

There is no reasonable expectation that you should be able to drive an undocumented vehicle.

Want to speed or evade tolls? You are stealing from the rest of us.

Like most of these laws pertaining to driving, it doesn’t go far enough. The first time for driving with one of these should be a heavy fine. Second time — lose the car. There are just too many dangerous drivers out there and the State needs to do more.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:30 am
How is the idiot that sponsored this nonsense?

Comment by Moline Maleman Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:31 am
If the traffic cameras were made illegal would you suggest that the police/ACLU post guards to insure there are no cameras? or would it be more efficent to simply install cameras! to keep an eye out for cameras?
I’m with the cops on this one. & why not out law tinted windows too? I certainly would not want to approuch a car not able to see whether there is a weapon pointed at me.

Comment by just askin' Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:33 am
This is what they’re doing down there? WTF?! I agree with Garp.

Comment by Lee Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:35 am
tinted front windshields are already illegal. The tints on the side windows serve a purpose–they keep the vehicle cooler.

I disagree with this law especially as there was already a perfectly good law on the books (that clear covers were allowed as long as they didn’t obscure).

The covers serve a purpose–they keep vermin from messing with your plate and reg. sticker.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:36 am
lets be honest, and those who are ok with this, may your chains rest lightly upon thee.

I have a cover on my plates, because the license plates do not hold up to salt. Which we dump all over the roads these days. After a year of it, they get all nasty looking.

I have a new car, and like to keep it looking clean. A plate cover does that.

Comment by c-rock Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:38 am
I have had an acrylic license plate cover for years. They don’t yellow and if it becomes damaged I replace it. If they want to ban covers, they should issued new plates on a yearly basis, like they used to. Instead, the state replaces plates every 20 years when the paint has worn off the numbers.

They can’t pass a budget, but they have time for c**p like this. Nice. Why do these people have jobs again?

Comment by Super Mega Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:40 am
Super Mega, ahhh ’cause you elected them?

Comment by just askin' Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:45 am
Who cares what your plate looks like? The one I have looks fine after five years with out a cover.

Comment by Plate Watcher Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:46 am
This is not there to protect police. It’s an excuse for police. I’ve seen many license plate covers and I have no problem telling if a plate is from Illinois or not and unless there is something deliberately obstructing the plate (which is already illegal) I can read them all just fine. If my eyesight is better than theirs then maybe they shouldn’t be in a position where they have to identify people or things in the first place. All they want is another reason to pull you over and meet their quota. I have a better idea. Why don’t you guys focus on passing a budget and let police worry about going after REAL criminals.

I guess if they have to criminalize license plate covers maybe the police need a budget cut to help fund all the other initiatives in the budget.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:51 am
1. We should not have front plates to begin with. They are useless.
2. Jesse White’s “contest-winning” plate design is pathetic. I prefer the traditional plates like cabs have. Our plates are gross. The previous ones were better.

Comment by 1930s Labor Racketeer Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:55 am
Below is the RIDICULOUS press released issued by the Governor’s office about the law, it’s so over the top:

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that helps law enforcement agencies better protect Illinoisans. Senate Bill 585, Senate Bill 639 and Senate Bill 1265, allow law enforcement agencies to equip their bicycles with sirens, prohibit vehicles from having tainted or clear license plate covers and increase penalties for individuals who try to bypass interlock devices.

“We must do everything we can to keep Illinoisans and the people who protect them safe. These new laws will help ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools necessary to continue making Illinois a safe place to live and raise families,” said Gov. Blagojevich…

Senate Bill 1265, sponsored by State Sen. Antonio “Tony” Munoz (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), prohibits vehicles from having tinted or clear license plate covers helping law enforcement officers and members of the community to better read license plate numbers.

“This bill provides law enforcement officials with the additional resources needed to ensure the safety of our communities,” said State Rep. Jay Hoffman. “This legislation will help to improve the public safety initiatives of this state.”

Please…

Comment by SpringfieldJDS Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:57 am
I have to agree with those who think this legislation is unnecessary.

As the quoted statute reads, “…not obstruct the visibility” allplies to covers as well as plain filthy.

A person who has plates which are difficult to read may be pulled over today and issued a warning ticket to remedy the situation.

I also agree that we should dispense with the front plate. Save the state a few bucks. The only place a front place is useful is where a parking ticket is being issued. Change the routing and we are done.

To those who will opine that it helps the police, its nonsense. Its the revenue that is smelled from the incoming red light cameras and automated speed controlling devices.

Big brother is here and it is our Democrat controlled government.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:57 am
I’m back because my wife said I “didn’t explain why I disagree with this new law.” BECAUSE IT’S STUPID THAT’S WHY! Only an idiot would sponser this law and I want to know his/her name! I will take the covers off of all of my cars so Barney Fife in Peoria (or elsewhere) can’t give me a ticket. Then I will present them to the IDIOT SPONSOR in person or by mail!! I HOPE EVERYONE IN THE STATE WILL JOIN ME!! I’ve had my stickers stolen in the past and NOW expect a repeat. Thanks a lot. I do vote every election now and I do remember idiots! I/we need them identified Rich!

Comment by Moline Maleman Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:58 am
You may find this hard to believe but there are people out there who steal renewal stickers [like yours while you’re parked at WalMart] and glue it to their expired plates. Plastic cover hides their handiwork.

Some fabricate their own cardboard/plastic/paint license plates because they can’t get their own plates [revoked or no insurance or no $$] but the lack of reflectivity gives them away. Plastic covers hide their handiwork.

Covers cut down on visibility for cops [and witnesses after violators speed away from the scene of a crime]. In-car squad car dash cameras can properly record the traffic stop if something goes wrong [complaint, shooting, etc]. Plate covers only help the wrong-doer.

They are not your plates anyhow: you pay for the privilege to move your vehicle in IL on the roads and the license plate is only proof that you paid fees for That particular vehicle. Plates belong to SOS.

Comment by North of I-80 Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:05 am
Mythbusters did an episode on cameras versus license plate covers, and the camera always won–even at high speeds with thick plastic. I bet mud-bogging would do the trick…

Comment by Greg Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:07 am
Nope, not at all. This is just another reason for the cops to pull you over so they can see if your doing anything more serious.

Comment by Ryan Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:10 am
There are companies that sell plate covers designed to thwart the red light and speeding cameras that are becoming so prevalent. They are transparent to the eye so cops can still read the plates, but like an LCD computer screen that is clear when you look straight at it but from the side, they prevent the municipal ATM (red light and other cameras) from reading your plate and giving you tickets. That’s all this is designed to stop.

Oh, and I’ve lived in Chicago for 25 years and have never had or heard of people stealing stickers. Is that a big problem downstate?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:10 am
This makes complete sense. Frankly, I thought they were already illegal.

I do agree with many here that they need to stop the horse and pony show and get down to business. People aren’t going to be paid on time if they don’t. Tens of thousands of people have to depend on these blowhards for their livelihood. They shouldn’t have to be the victim of their ineffective behavior.

GET WITH THE PROGRAM, PEOPLE!!

Comment by Undercover Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:17 am
Why is it that other states only require a Rear license plate and we require two? Are their police better than ours?

Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:26 am
I am surprised by all of the outrage over this fairly harmless issue. By all means just take off the license plate covers, is this really that big of a deal? Put your plate covers in your garage next to the box with the radar detectors, radio jammers, audio headsets, tinted window glass, old school mufflers and suspension equipment. Oh and in Chicago, your cell phones (at least while driving).

Comment by Jake from Elwood Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:27 am
I think it is a good law. I think a licesne plate should only be for vehicle identification. You have the rest of your car to make a fashion statement.

For those who are complaining about the cameras. Can you please explain to me something? How is it ‘illegal’ to have cameras at intersections, but OK for you to speed through a stoplight or constructions zone? I like how the people breaking the law are not a problem for you, but police using technology to catch you is very, very bad.

Also, for those who think the legislature is wasting their time with this stuff. I am sure they had nothing better to do. This budget impasse boils down to a few people not working together. I am sure everyone else had plenty of time to debate the issue. Its not like the budget would be done right now had they skipped this issue. They really seem to be unrelated as far as time management goes.

Comment by Robbie Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:30 am
Don’t give me the clear plastic works excuse. Plastic gets old and opaque over time.

Nobody can steal your renewal sticker if you scrape off the old one and score the new one. Some peopel just let the old stickers build up on top of the old ones. They lose.

As a citizen I want to be able to read the plate of the guy who bumped me and is now driving away.

At the same time, let’s outlaw the holders with the huge borders that hide both the state and the rnewal month. Not good.

Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:34 am
To north of I 80

Lcense plate covers protect those easily removed stickers from our license plates. (Wrongdoer will move on to the next car) Can you whow me the statistics where a poilce officer is fooled by a fake plate?

Dirty cover or plates obscure visibility for all witnesses. If you read the current law it is illegal to have your plates obscred today. The new law is nothing new.

Maybe we need to come up with out own ‘goden fleece award’ a la Senator Proxmeyer http://www.taxpayer.net/awards/goldenfleece/history.htm

Instead of his criterea perhaps a quarterly or annual list of awards for dumbest legislation?

Think big, one could have awards for biggest pork producer, lamest duck in office…..

All I have to do is come up with a statuette for the award…..

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:40 am
The old code did everything needed re obscured view, but I suspect covers interfere with laser speed detection. It’s all about revenue.

Plus, another reason to pull a car over.

Comment by Ken in Aurora Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:41 am
What about the plastic frames that car dealers place without the new vehicle owner’s consent? They really cover the name of the state. Pay attention next time you are driving around and try to guess where a license plate is from when the frame covers a huge portion of the actual license plate so the name of the dealership is more prominently displayed. Those frames should be definitely banned too.

Comment by Oh Blago! Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:48 am
Truthful James -

It’s called technology. I’ve never had a cover that turned yellow.

When you drive around, notice how many people still have the old-style (blue and white) plates on their car, and/or expired stickers. And when I say expired stickers, I don’t mean a month or two, I mean over a year. Why isn’t that enforced?

Comment by Super Mega Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:51 am
The renewal stickers we have received for our license plates now clearly contain the license number of the corresponding plate, thus reducing the ability of a thief to take my sticker and put it on his/her plate, unless of course, they have created a bogus cardboard replica of my plate.

I do have to wonder though how long Illinois can argue FOR the front license plate when so many other states seem to function fine without it and their State Police are not lobbying to bring back the front plate.

As for keeping your vehicle in pristine condition and wanting to protect the license plate from salt, what a joke. Then park the darned vehicle until winter is over because I personally feel there is no additional class in having a pristine license plate covered with plastic mounted on a salt encrusted vehicle.

Comment by Call me anon on this one please Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:55 am
Robbie,

According to the 6th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, you are entitled to confront and cross examine your accuser. Red light and other cameras do not allow for this and are therefore unconstitutional. Because this has not been fully litigated, these cameras do not current count against your record. They can only be used to dole out fine after fine after fine.

When red light cameras first came out, I thought they were great as running red lights has become an epidemic in Chicago. But once the technology was proven, suddenly it was expanded to speeding and other offenses. The effort has begun to proliferate these damned things all over the place. The problem is that while an officer can take a judgment of the conditions at the time (empty highway, late night, middle of nowhere, etc.), cameras cannot. It’s a ridiculous intrusion and violation of the 6th amendment.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 11:57 am
I’m with North-of-I-80 on this one. The plastic covers may have started out with people with good intentions but they are now used by too many people for nefarious reasons.

If anything, I would expect the police to target people with the covers already. They sure look to me like a sign that the driver is trying to get away with something.

Comment by RBD Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:00 pm
Good point, Chicago Cynic.

I HATE IT when the law requires me to drive the speed limit and not run through red lights. Next thing, they are going to start putting cameras in banks so I can’t easily rob them.

How unfair.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:02 pm
HATE IT!!!! as someone who has had my plate sticker stolen several times (even after slicing it down the middle) and now has a clear cover on my plate and have gotten my tickets for running camera controlled intersections I realize what a worthless law this is.
I understand the colored sheilds but come on….
but I bet the guv’s hair looked nice at the bill signing

Comment by not on the clout list Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:18 pm
What about those nice black and yeallow plate boarders. You know the real wide ones that obscure the plate. There are a lot of them around and they read. “Illinois State Police” Are they still legal?

Comment by Whizbang Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:18 pm
Cameras aren’t unconstitutional. Cameras at intersections are no different than security cameras at banks and 7-elevens. As long as they can be validated, etc., they’re evidence.

Why is there so much tolerance here for lawbreaking? Just stop speeding, running stop signs, etc.

Somebody already explained that “clear” in the current statute is no longer good enough because new clear covers can block radar/cameras.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:27 pm
Agree with the cops, the covers should go. If the plate gets too gnarly, you can order a replacement. Mine have never been covered and look great after ten years.

Covers are a lame attempt to evade law enforcement, just as radar detectors are.

I don’t understand about sticker theft: the stickers turn to a “void” pattern if peeled off, that helps nobody, stealing one. The crooks would do better just photoshopping a sticker with an inkjet decal printer kit.

Comment by Gregor Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:32 pm
Chicago Cynic,

Agreed. Most of us (apparently not Skeeter) recognize that occasionaly safe driving demands breaking a normally-important rule. eg, pulling a load with a tailgater behind you through a yellow, avoiding an accident, caught in a 2-lane, dense, fast-moving Chicago freeway, etc. Human eyes are helpful in recognizing these occasions. Although, again, I reference Mythbusters as it pertains to coevrs’ effectiveness against cameras.

Comment by Greg Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:36 pm
For all the people worried about their sticker being stolen - can’t you put clear tape over it? Won’t that make the thief move on to the next car?

Comment by RBD Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 12:54 pm
What a bunch of lame excuses!
Police need to be able to read your plates. Anything that obscures them and keeps the police from doing their job is a hinderance.

There is no reason to live or die over a crummy plastic license plate cover.

Take them off so that our law enforcement officers can do their jobs as intended.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 1:15 pm
Obscured license plates were already illegal in Illinois.

One of my buddies was pulled over and ticketed for a very dusty license cover over four years ago.

This redundant law just serve as a pretext for stopping and/or ticketing otherwise legal drivers.

Every unnecessary law creates unnecessary criminals.

– SCAM

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 1:20 pm
Greg,

Skeeter is just hanging in her minivan with Jaded clogging the passing lane…

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 1:21 pm
I agree with this new law. People are obviously confused as to what constitutes a clear, non-obstructing cover; and the ability to read license plates is too important to threaten it simply to please people’s aesthetic desires. Now the law is much clearer–no covers, of any kind, are permitted.

Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 1:55 pm
Jay Hoffman could not get elected to Cogress. Now, he spends his political life carrying the water for Blago.
Thank goodness the Cardinals have brought up Rick Ankiel ( some call the second coming of Stan Musial) to win the Central Division. To take the headlines away from Hoffman’s stupid actions.

Comment by keep up with the jones Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 2:20 pm
Chicago Cynic - thanks for your comment at noon time. If indeed these cameras are in direct conflict with the 6th amendment then maybe we need to look at changing the law. Because while I am all for confronting your accuser, I think these cameras are justafiable law enforcement tools.

Can they get the wrong people and make mistakes? Of course, but then again, how many major cities get the wrong guy all the time? Heck, they used to be pretty good about intentionaly getting the wrong guy!

I honestly feel that all these covers and borders need to go. If you want to decorate your car, buy a damn bumper sticker!

Though if stealing these stickers really is an epidemic, (I havent heard much about it around the Galesburg area) then perhaps they should look at ways to make the sticker useless upon removal. Though from what I read above, maybe it is already that way?

Comment by Robbie Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 2:41 pm
I’ll remove by cover as soon as Jay Magoo shows up to lick the bugs off.

Comment by Mr. W.T. Rush Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 3:14 pm
Not sure about this one. While it’s important that we see license plates, at what point are we nit-picking about it? Do we really need another law to enforce….

For those who desire a clean license plate, just wash it off. It’s lie, when my grandmom used to put plastic on all the furniture. There should be a law about that, too

Comment by pickles!! Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 3:23 pm
George Ryan lobbied for removing license plate covers. He stated “by golly, if I’m making plates, I want the people to be able to see them.” Looks like the law is now in effect in preparation for George to issue special plates once again!!

Comment by Justice Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 4:11 pm
I agree with Anonymous, Plutocrat03, and Ryan (10:51, 10:57, and 11:10 a.m., respectively).

This is another technicality intended to expand the definition of “probable cause”. We all know that once a cop has a reason to pull you over, your rights go out the window (we also know they love every second of it). Anyway, it’s not about license plates.

Comment by bluedog Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 4:19 pm
Still no answer from the new law proponents.

Show me that cases where a clean, clear cover interferes with law enforcemnt’s legitimate need for identification…..

As far as the RLCs constitutionality, there is no problem because they ar not traffic tickets. Local laws are passed to mmake these administrative citations with no access to a ral court if there are questions. $$$$$

A retrospective study was done in DC where RLCs issued more than 30 million dollars worth of tickets. A further comparison of RLC controlled intersections and those not controlled by RLCs showed no difference in red light running, but an increase in rear-end colissions. Safety improvement of cash station?

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 4:45 pm
Ooops forgot to remind all that the tickets are not given to the driver, but the owner of the car.. Nice huh?

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 4:50 pm
I would love to see a breakdown by age and by race and also by time of night (or day) for anyone stopped for this dastardly offense. This is just one more way to hassle certain people. I will give my covers to Mr Hoffman soon!

Comment by Moline Maleman Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 5:02 pm
Robbie,

Until this QOTD, I really had not given any thought to covers, borders or whatever. The only border I’ve ever had is the one my dealer puts on and never thought protecting my plate was worth one bloody nickel. So I have no dog in this fight, but I thought it important that everyone understands this isn’t about law enforcement - it’s just about the rapidly spreading Muni ATM machines…

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 5:15 pm
On my wife’s car the sticker was stolen less than a month after it was put on. She then received a ticket for not displaying the sticker, which was our first inkling that it was stolen. The officer told her at the time that it happens quite a bit. The thieves go after the latest stickers since they are color coded by expiration month.

So one new sticker later (at a replacement fee) and a court appearance to get the fine taken off less lost wages time and aggravation, I got some nice covers for the rear plates of our vehicles. Avoiding such headaches now will soon be illegal?

Now I have to take them off for cameras? Don’t the cameras photograph the front plate (which I never bothered to cover on either vehicle) and driver?

Give us a sticker that can’t be peeled off without it being destroyed!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 6:26 pm
Louis –

As I earlier suggested, remove as many of the older stickers as you are able, with a razor (non electric) a knife or a screwdriver.

When you put the new one on, score it with a razor. Potential thieves will see the scoring and realize that it can not be removed.

Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 6:45 pm
Sure put a picture of Blago on the plate a let the bugs fly.

Comment by Sprinflield Watcher Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 7:26 pm
If they don’t ban license plate covers they should ban license plates because they are invisible with some license plate covers. The sole purpose of license plate covers is to obscure license plates.

Comment by Ahem Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 8:44 pm
I agree.

From a cops perspective, it is often really important for us to get plates correct, especially when making traffic stops. They get harder to read as my eyeys get older! It is often important for the public to get them right.

I don’t think a plastic license cover will prevent anyone from getting your registration sticker if they want it. Scrape offr last years and score this years with a razor blade.

Keep the two plate system. That front plate has helped me and witnesses in the public too many times.

I’m not a big fan of photo enforcement, contraryu to what the resident cop haters here would tend to believe …

Last, we don’t make the law. We backed it, it’s a good law but we can’t make law. Illegal equipment has to be completely prohibited or judges take the exceptions to an extreme and the law becomes unenforceable. Window tint law is a good example. It is completely illegal so cops, prosecutorws and judges don’t have to argue “what is” and “what isn’t” too much tint.

Comment by Freezeup Thursday, Aug 9, 07 @ 10:06 pm