California Considering Ads on Cars With E-Plates

[JMcEntegart]

It seems like we can't get away from advertisements and commercials these days but if the state of California gets its way, license plates could be yet another platform for ads.

California Considering Ads on Cars With E-Plates : Read more

 

[eddieroolz]

Yeah, while we're trying to eliminate texting/calling while driving, California's busy thinking about more ways to distract drivers...

 

[lashabane]

Dispatch: 911, what's your emergency?

Panicked driver: Someone just cut me off and sent me off the road!

Dispatch: OK, calm down sir. Did you get the license plate of the vehicle?

Panicked driver: V I A G R A

 

[Kelavarus]

It's my damn car. Unless they're offering to pay ME, no, I don't want their ad on it.

 

[wolflive]

Wow, 1st if I cant believe my state is that desperate to make up for the debt we're in. 2nd....This is a HUGE Epic Fail. 3rd...I'm moving if this gets voted in.

 

[keczapifrytki]

WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA
brought to you by "Weeds"
season 5 out on dvd!!

 

[Guest]

If the bill passed, you would likely have to pay to _not_ have the ads. Since the state government would be generating revenue from the ads they allow to be displayed (because the plate itself is government property until it expires for the year), they would likely make you pay an offset if you desired to have an ad-free plate.

On a semi-related note, this would give officers incentive to hunt down and ticket those with expired tags. They are costing the state potential revenue, after all.

 

[lo_vaquero]

Nope. If I wanted ads on my vehicle, I'll arrange it myself. Thank you very much.

 

[ngom52]

Anyone seen the movie Idiocracy? 500 years from now even your own clothing has ads on them

 

[Anomalyx]

so... the government is going to legally require us to advertise so they can profit?
Well, I guess technically no, because you can always just not have a car, but it's pretty darn close to legally mandated advertising for everybody.

Plus there are other concerns. If electronic, what about rain? When the teenager who was texting bumps and breaks your license plate in the parking lot and drives off, can you get a ticket for failing to advertise for the government? How long before government propaganda appears on the plates? How long before someone is forced to display an ad that is offensive to them in one way or another?

I'm sure they haven't thought this through; it's a horrible idea that will cause nothing but problems. Try cutting back grossly excessive spending, and giving elected officials pay cuts (after all, aren't they "public servants"?) before you force citizens to advertise for your profit.

 

[vertigo_2000]

What if I'm against abortion, but my license plate is advertising an abortion clinic.

Vegetarian's plates advertising for a steakhouse.

I'm driving a Honda, but my plates are advertising Toyota.

Pick your poison. People get very militant about the things they believe in.

 

[Repelsteeltje]

Great, more spam. And on your behalf. Thanks but no thanks. And ngom52: most clothing has already ads on it... Try to find free-time or sports clothes without large labels and tags, for instance. While we are being spammed and bombarded with advertising 24/7, we ourselves turn into walking — and driving – billboards.

 

[falchard]

I think its a stupid piece of legislation for nuetralizing the budget. The problem is the initial investment. It will cost money to make these license plates, and they won't pay themselves off for a couple years. It will end up increasing the deficit.

 

[blurr91]

How about fire some workers or cancel some welfare programs to save money?

 

[Guest]

Are they going to provide or sale an ad-blocker tool for my window in my car? I don't want to be looking at ads sitting at a long light i have to watch the kid revving up his car behind me.

 

[razercultmember1]

Companies should be spending more on QUALITY and COSTUMER SERVICE not advertising. TV ads are enough.

 

[jerreece]

Now, I was taught to drive while scanning the road AHEAD of me. Not the bumper of the car immediately in front of me.

Now we can read/watch advertisements on the bumper of the car ahead of us. Like we need to tailgate more than we already do... "Sorry officer, I umm... couldn't read the 800 number for the product I saw on that guy's license plate. And then he suddenly stopped!"

 

[Guest]

based on the theory behind all of this i would assume the ads would be fed remotely. not only would the hardware to make all of this happen cost alot, how long before people start hijacking others plates to say random shit

 

[turbolover22]

Remember the road signs that got broken into and were displaying messages about 'zombies ahead'?

Just imagine what kind of messages/images you could display on someone else's license plate if you hacked it. Free porn for everyone!!!

 

[Guest]

Anyone who has to parallel park in the city knows these plates wouldn't last a week without breaking.