CBS: Digital License Plate Ads Coming to California?

[Teller]

(AP) 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.

This oughta be a fun discussion. :)


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/21/tech/main6603447.shtml

[MissU28]

So stupid. Seriously, I should be Cali's gub'na, there are so many other ways to make money. Stupid gub'ment.

[PokerPacker]

a picture is worth a thousand words...

http://www.lolblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/facepalm.jpg

[techboy]

I swear that California is slowly turning into a bad science fiction B movie. I guess they voted for the right Governor.

[Ellis]

california is so retarded sometimes. :ols:

[The Evil Genius]

Atleast I now know where I could see the next Meg Whitman for Governor ad.

[Hail_Skins]

Just completely legalize and tax weed already! Shhesh!

[visionary]

Shouldn't anyone with those plates get paid to use them?

[dfitzo53]

Shouldn't anyone with those plates get paid to use them?

Seems only fair.

[China]

Presumably they would operate on battery power and not be hooked into your car's electrical system. Just remove the batteries.

[dfitzo53]

Presumably they would operate on battery power and not be hooked into your car's electrical system. Just remove the batteries.
I don't think they're running when your car is off, just when it's stopped at a stoplight. At least that's the impression I got.

Either way, if you remove the batteries you'd be killing the whole plate, and then you'd effectively be driving around with no plates.

[Dan T.]

Where are they going to find all the prison inmates with electrical engineering degrees to manufacture these things?

[China]

I don't think they're running when your car is off, just when it's stopped at a stoplight. At least that's the impression I got.

Either way, if you remove the batteries you'd be killing the whole plate, and then you'd effectively be driving around with no plates.

Wait, I guess I misunderstood. The whole plate, including the number is electronic? How stupid. Just another thing that can go wrong and get you pullled over. And they'd have to be hooked into your car's electronics to shutoff automatically when your car does.

Hopefully the citizens of California will dispose of this idea. I'd hate for it to be something that passed and other states might latch onto.

[HighOnHendrix]

Shouldn't anyone with those plates get paid to use them?

I'm thinking discount on reg. fees.


Where are they going to find all the prison inmates with electrical engineering degrees to manufacture these things?

Inmates? Yeah, right. These things will be made in third-world sweatshops by five-year-olds just like most everything else. It's the twenty-first century, brother! Isn't it great?

[HOF44]

On the bright side you could probably hack them. Could save tons in red light camera fees! MTH might endorse this!!

[Burgundy Burner]

California.

Hehehehehehehehe.

Yeah, it's California.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

Yeah, it's definitely California.

Roflmbo!

[China]

California Digital License Plates May Hit Roadblock (http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/765815)

A bill that would allow California to research advertisement-enabled digital license plates passed out of the state Assembly Transportation Committee Monday, but may be vetoed if it lands on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.

"The Legislature needs to focus on passing a budget that lives within our means instead of distracting drivers to raise revenues," Schwarzenegger said in a June 22 written statement from his press office. "This legislation will be vetoed if it reaches my desk."

Click on the link for the full article

[thebluefood]

http://animediet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/worldoftomorrow.jpg
Welcome...to the WORLD OF TOMORROW!!!

Or utter stupidity. Either way.