A badly-needed statute

[D_E_Davis]

Effective 1 Jan it will be illegal in Arizona to have a license plate frame that hides the state name. This new law is a "primary" one, meaning that one can be stopped and cited for just this.

I'm aware the state, the county, and the city are all facing severe budget deficits in 2009. Somehow I don't think this will cure the deficit(s), although it appears to be a profitable area - I estimate 80% of the cars on the road have frames that violate it.

[Eric]

Effective 1 Jan it will be illegal in Arizona to have a license plate frame that hides the state name. This new law is a "primary" one, meaning that one can be stopped and cited for just this.

I'm aware the state, the county, and the city are all facing severe budget deficits in 2009. Somehow I don't think this will cure the deficit(s), although it appears to be a profitable area - I estimate 80% of the cars on the road have frames that violate it.

Sigh.

More of the same, eh?

These henpecky laws and increasingly not so minor harassments are beginning to grate....

[chiph]

They're getting ready for automated number-plate recognition software.

Chip H.

[Ken]

They're getting ready for automated number-plate recognition software.

Chip H.

Lordy, Lordy, y'all waaaaaaayyyyyy behind the times. We've had it (APNR) operating over here for a long time - it is yet another revenue generator. Luckily, in the main, it is aimed at cars that are unlicensed and uninsured.

Ken.

[chiph]

And those whose speed is above average.

They probably could have had those cameras a long time ago Ken, except that this is Arizona, where people would tend to shoot them out.

Chip H.

[D_E_Davis]

And those whose speed is above average.

They probably could have had those cameras a long time ago Ken, except that this is Arizona, where people would tend to shoot them out.
Chip H.

No, no, people DO shoot them out. The Phoenic suburb of Scottsdale has had quite a problem with that along the stretch of the Loop 101 freeway that is in that town.

[Eric]

No, no, people DO shoot them out. The Phoenic suburb of Scottsdale has had quite a problem with that along the stretch of the Loop 101 freeway that is in that town.

Bully for them!

We need more such public revolt. The whole thing is becoming - has become - utterly ridiculous. These SOBs are determined to fleece us by any and all means available - and in the process, shrink-wrap us with an endless roll of regulations, rules and laaaaaaaaws.

Enough, already.

And: Have you noticed that much of this scheisse seems to originate in England and then migrates here?

And they say the Germans are totalitarian minded!

[Ken]

And those whose speed is above average.

They probably could have had those cameras a long time ago Ken, except that this is Arizona, where people would tend to shoot them out.

Chip H.

For speed above the average we now have the Average Speed measuring cameras which also read number plates. Whereas the old Gatso types of camera measured instantaneous speed these cameras average the speed over distance - it could be many miles - and detect whether the speed averaged has been over the posted limits - if it has, Bingo, the brown envelope arrives in your mailbox.

The ANPR cameras tend to be used by mobile units, you pass one in your uninsured/untaxed car and a little further down the road a nice man in a highly fluorescent jacket and peaked hat flags you down, tickets you, and confiscates the car. In the case of untaxed/uninsured cars I am fully in favor of having the car both confiscated and crushed. In Northamptonshire the ANPR Police are also using Mobile Fingerprint Reader technology to positively identify the drivers they stop against national database records.

Ken.