Proposal aims to ban license-plate covers (Tempe: lawyers, to buy, legal)

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I could care less about Myth Busters or any other similar organization . . .

I have witnessed License Plate Covers first hand and they do work. They are not simply clear and or tinted plastic allowing the plate to be clearly visible. Using "filters" and other blocking tactics, they very cleverly obscure either all or a portion of the plate, especially if viewed from a slight angle off center.

Bottom line . . . only a criminal would find the need for such devices.

Interesting blanket statement. I'm not a criminal. I purchased mine at an auto store. I've been stopped a couple times for speeding and none of the cops said a word about it.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by psulions2007

Weird/Quick Question....does Arizona require front and rear plates or just rear plates?

I kinda wanta keep my front area reserved for an Arizona plate and a PSU Alumni frame.

Rear plate only mandated here in Az. although a front license plate may be an option.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

Interesting blanket statement. I'm not a criminal. I purchased mine at an auto store. I've been stopped a couple times for speeding and none of the cops said a word about it.

So, why do you use the cover?

[nitram]

There are already laws on the books about obstructing license plates. An officer can stop you and write a citation if he wants to. I feel like bummer has stated, only those wishing to break the law use them.
aj661 addressed this issue awhile back.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

Interesting blanket statement. I'm not a criminal. I purchased mine at an auto store. I've been stopped a couple times for speeding and none of the cops said a word about it.

The key word in my post is NEED, Lindsey.

Also, I am referring to the covers that are intended to distort and/or obscure the license plate.

[roadrunner1]

Maybe we can put together a bill to ban speed and Red Light Cameras!

[Master Shake]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

They dont work, period. Mythbusters tested this myth awhile back, using every kind of plate cover under the sun and none of them worked. The only time they beat the camera was by hitting obnoxiously high speeds. All the other covers, sprays, etc, were proven ineffective by the show.

I think I saw this show too, but the methods they used to test were different. I think MB was focused on seeing if they could get a car to go so fast that the camera couldn't get an accurate picture of the plate. I believe they even tried a Lamborghini???

However, some covers -- especially the polarized covers -- do work very well, by blocking the ability to read the plate from an angle. Additionally, the wax type goo that people drip over their plates works very well at night, by completely blocking out the letters/numbers on a plate when headlights hit it straight on from behind. I've always been surprised that a police officer couldn't pull someone over for such obvious license place obstruction.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Master Shake

I think I saw this show too, but the methods they used to test were different. I think MB was focused on seeing if they could get a car to go so fast that the camera couldn't get an accurate picture of the plate. I believe they even tried a Lamborghini???

However, some covers -- especially the polarized covers -- do work very well, by blocking the ability to read the plate from an angle. Additionally, the wax type goo that people drip over their plates works very well at night, by completely blocking out the letters/numbers on a plate when headlights hit it straight on from behind. I've always been surprised that a police officer couldn't pull someone over for such obvious license place obstruction.

They tested the sprays that were designed to reflect light, covers that are supposed to make your plate unreadable to cameras, speeding, etc. They found the only way to beat the camera was in a Lamborghini doing something like 180+ mph or something crazy like that. Dont quote me....

And yes, if there is such a device that makes plates unreadable, they should be ticketed, then beaten over the head with said device. Shame the legislation didnt pass though.

[Hassayampa Slim]

And what's with license plate Frames that cover up the name of their State? This never seemed to be a problem 5 or 10 years ago. Did the Frames get wider, or has the position of the State Name changed? Seems like that would be legally objectionable as well?

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Hassayampa Slim

And what's with license plate Frames that cover up the name of their State? This never seemed to be a problem 5 or 10 years ago. Did the Frames get wider, or has the position of the State Name changed? Seems like that would be legally objectionable as well?

Great question and point, Hassayampa!

I have a feeling it is just another way to avoid detection while breaking the law either with cameras or an eyewitness. As I posted earlier, only a criminal needs to obscure their license plate or even the state.