Dumb and Dumber (Effing Politicians)

SoCal 370Z · 06-22-2010, 12:21 PM

I've been following this interesting piece of legislation and it's finally making the news. Unf@#king believable, but true! I loathe all politicians, separately, but equally:

Quote:

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—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.

The bill's author, Democratic Sen. Curren Price of Los Angeles, said California would be the first state to implement such technology if the state Department of Motor Vehicles ultimately recommends the widespread use of the plates. He said other states are exploring something similar.

Interested advertisers would contract directly with the DMV, thus opening a new revenue stream for the state, Price said.

"We're just trying to find creative ways of generating additional revenues," he said. "It's an exciting marriage of technology with need, and an opportunity to keep California in the forefront." Price said the devices also would cut costs by streamlining the distribution, activation and registration of license plates.

The legislative analysis of SB1453 does not include estimates of how much revenue could be saved or gained from license plate advertising.

At least one company, San Francisco-based Smart Plate, is developing a digital electronic license plate but has not yet reached the production stage.

Reached by e-mail Friday, the company's chief executive, M. Conrad Jordan, said the legislation provides an opportunity for the state to harness some of the creativity and technical expertise of its private sector.

Jordan said he envisioned the license plates as not just another advertising venue, but as a way to display personalized messages—broadcasting the driver's allegiance to a sports team or an alma mater, for example.

"The idea is not to turn a motorist's vehicle into a mobile billboard, but rather to create a platform for motorists to show their support for existing good working organizations," he said.

The bill would authorize the DMV to work with Smart Plate or another company to explore the use and safety of electronic license plates—a process that would include consultations with the California Highway Patrol, Price said.

CHP spokeswoman Fran Clader said the agency has not take a position on the legislation. A spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he also will remain neutral until the bill reaches his desk.

Any cost associated with the initial research would be borne by the company, not the state, Price said.

The DMV would be required to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2013.

The bill has received no formal opposition. It passed unanimously through the Senate last month and is scheduled to be heard Monday by the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Article: In California, license plates might go electronic

shadoquad · 06-22-2010, 12:30 PM

Politicians once again using their constituents as a bank roll.

Reminds me of the influx of speeding cameras in Maryland. In Baltimore County, they at least pushed the pretense that this was somehow safety related and parked them in school zones. In Baltimore City, they didn't bother with the pretense and just threw them wherever profitable.

JACKPAC · 06-22-2010, 01:53 PM

I can't see how they could force someone to advertise for a 3rd party without consent.

shabarivas · 06-22-2010, 02:44 PM

Ha ha good luck making folks get those shitty plates... I dont want to be advertisement for the government... I mean ... take away all my road taxes and ill gladly walk around as a billboard... until then GTFO w/ this BS

phelan · 06-22-2010, 02:47 PM

wtf so they'd modify the license plates? that's ridiculous. and if it's a frame, i'm not using it.

i call BS, but then again this is california, BS is a way of life for us.

Wicked_G · 06-22-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKPAC

I can't see how they could force someone to advertise for a 3rd party without consent.

& WOW. I got a good laugh out of that

Cjanik · 06-22-2010, 08:18 PM

it wont fly, too many things wrong with it.

to add to that, its a perfect way for a criminal to mask their license plates. obviously there's a trigger wire that changes it to an Ad, just power or ground that trigger wire and instant Ad while in motion.

picture a hit and run....you hit a car, "o ****, flip the switch", your plates change to an ad, you drive off, everybody looks and only see's a picture of viagra.

dad · 06-22-2010, 08:18 PM

Fuchin California- The Land of Fruits and Nuts!

Xan · 06-22-2010, 08:22 PM

Hack it and broadcast your own message...
Seems good if people aren't keeping their distance:"back off!!!"
Or when you see a cute girl:"call me"...

Pushing_Tin · 06-22-2010, 08:36 PM

IBTL

frost · 06-22-2010, 09:00 PM

Meh, it's amazing what they can come up. Not that I think it will happen, but instead of trying to balance a budget, they invent new ways to keep on spending like crazy. :|

LinPark · 06-22-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKPAC

I can't see how they could force someone to advertise for a 3rd party without consent.

Easy, they will give you that plate for free or you can get one of the standard plates for $50 a year.

Now they are making money no matter what you decide to do.

06-22-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

IBTL

+1 lol

SmoothZ · 06-22-2010, 11:09 PM

I'm so glad I moved out of Cali years ago. I've never even considered moving back. That state is so messed up....

vash_241987 · 06-23-2010, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

Ha ha good luck making folks get those shitty plates... I dont want to be advertisement for the government... I mean ... take away all my road taxes and ill gladly walk around as a billboard... until then GTFO w/ this BS

+!

06-22-2010, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	wtf so they'd modify the license plates? that's ridiculous. and if it's a frame, i'm not using it. i call BS, but then again this is california, BS is a way of life for us. __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

06-22-2010, 08:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Fuchin California- The Land of Fruits and Nuts! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

06-22-2010, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Xan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts:99999999999999 Posts: 3,301 Drives: 370Z 40th Aniversary Rep Power: 24	Hack it and broadcast your own message... Seems good if people aren't keeping their distance:"back off!!!" Or when you see a cute girl:"call me"... __________________

06-22-2010, 11:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
SmoothZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arrakis Posts: 7,952 Drives: giant sandworm Rep Power: 36	I'm so glad I moved out of Cali years ago. I've never even considered moving back. That state is so messed up.... __________________ "Once you go Asian, you never go Caucasian." "I talk to myself, and when I do that, I know I'm talking to an intelligent person."

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06-22-2010, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	Politicians once again using their constituents as a bank roll. Reminds me of the influx of speeding cameras in Maryland. In Baltimore County, they at least pushed the pretense that this was somehow safety related and parked them in school zones. In Baltimore City, they didn't bother with the pretense and just threw them wherever profitable.

06-22-2010, 01:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
JACKPAC Track Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 516 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 17	I can't see how they could force someone to advertise for a 3rd party without consent.

06-22-2010, 02:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Ha ha good luck making folks get those shitty plates... I dont want to be advertisement for the government... I mean ... take away all my road taxes and ill gladly walk around as a billboard... until then GTFO w/ this BS

06-22-2010, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cjanik Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 578 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 17	it wont fly, too many things wrong with it. to add to that, its a perfect way for a criminal to mask their license plates. obviously there's a trigger wire that changes it to an Ad, just power or ground that trigger wire and instant Ad while in motion. picture a hit and run....you hit a car, "o ****, flip the switch", your plates change to an ad, you drive off, everybody looks and only see's a picture of viagra.

06-22-2010, 08:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pushing_Tin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 2,875 Drives: E63 AMG Rep Power: 228	IBTL