Going broke can make you do some stupid-ass things.
Here’s Joseph Henchman of Tax Policy Blog:
As they say, necessity can be the mother of invention. From the Associated Press via the Silicon Valley Business Journal:
When the vehicle is moving the license plate would look like the ones we’re used to now, but when the vehicle stops for more than four seconds a digital ad or other message would flash. The license plate number would always be visible.
Traffic information and Amber Alerts — notifications of missing children — could also be broadcast through the electronic licenses.
SB1453 would let the Department of Motor Vehicles explore the issue with companies that make the devices, and with the California Highway Patrol.
The bill passed through the Senate in May and is set to go before the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Thoughts?
At least California has addressed the obvious concern that drivers will be straining to read moving license plate ads instead of focusing on their text mess… um, focusing on the road in front of them.
But there’s another problem with the law. It’s a violation of my first amendment rights to force me to advertise someone else’s product or service.
Silence is a form of speech. That’s why I have no bumper stickers on my car and would stick needles in my eyes before getting a vanity plate.
2 responses so far ↓
1 LawStudent // Jun 23, 2010 at 2:23 pm
I wonder if the state will allow anti-tax / pro-freedom messages to be broadcast via these new license plates.
2 Peter // Jun 23, 2010 at 2:29 pm
LawStudent.
Or pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Republican, anti gay marriage, etc. etc. etc.
But I bet we’ll see a lot of Viva La Raza and Barbar Boxer ads.
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