Springfield, IL—Illinois is considering ending the requirement for the front plate on cars and trucks. This is a fiscally responsible move that’s long overdue.
The primary reason for front license plates has been the intense lobbying effort of the 3M Company, holder of the patent for the special reflective paint every state uses in their manufacturing process.
The rear plate is adequate for police plate reading software and the photo traffic extortion revenue programs.
In addition to their political lobbying and generous campaign contributions, the 3M Company exhibits at the Nations Sheriff’s and IACP conventions where they recruit police administrators to preserve the unnecessary and expensive front plates.
The States of California and Texas would reap the biggest cash bonanza by scrapping the front plate. Contact your legislature if you live in a state that requires two plates and help them curb the wasteful practice.
Comments
Also, before Supt Phil did away with the "hotsheet," I worked with a guy who could actually find steals on the hotsheet. At least once a week, he's have me crack a U-turn to go after a steal he had spotted by looking at the front plate.
I didn't even know front plates were required in most states until I started noticing them on cars registered in Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Texas, etc...
That's one of the things that kept me from registering my vehicle in Illinois when I lived there for a couple years. To me, that was almost as offensive as having to get a FOID just to touch a round of ammunition, coming from a state that hands out carry-permits like candy.
I’d say you need to check out the police agencies on places like Phoenix where the single rear plate has not made police work more difficult.
Of course smarter criminals steal plates from cars of the same make and avoid detection anyway.
The plate reading software is great and far more effective than even the most observant copper.
But Illinois isn't ready for reform and the front plates will stay.
This can be an officer safety issue also. How many times do we approach a vehicle from the front before we get the occuptants out of a vehicle. Forget the cost in this case. I am more concerned about my fellow officers.
And no knock on Arizona police, but I think an officer on the South Side sees more action in a summer than they see in years.
"leftisthebest"