The California State Assembly is set to consider a bill in the next few days that would green-light "Digital Electronic License Plate" technology. These digi-plates would turn any license plate into a mobile advertising space. With there being no formal opposition ready to debate these plates, are you visiting the them on the road next year?
Resource for this article: Digital Electronic License Plate - California hacker's paradise by Car Deal Expert
What exactly are digital electronic license plates?
The bill making its way through the California legislature gives the DMV permission to work with companies creating so-called "Smart Plates." These license plates are small, pre-programmed screens. During normal operation of the car, plate displays the license plate number. If you stop for 3 or four seconds, it will display something else. The idea is that these plates can be able to display advertising, a personalized message, or anything else that could be put into pixels.
Reasons for the e-plate to be a good idea
The California Assembly is set on the DELP for budget reasons. A $ 19 billion budget hole has left the state looking for any and each way to bring in extra cash. With more than 32 million registered vehicles within the state, these e-plates would give advertisers millions of opportunities make an effort to pay the state for advertising. These e-plates would also give residents a chance to pay a lot more money for ultra-personalization on their cars. Budget wins.
Why the digital license plate is actually a bad idea
Though the state spending budget of California may benefit from approving DLEP e-plates, it may eventually cost the state even a lot more money. First, these electronic license plates would change your license plate at the press of a button - certainly attractive to speeders, red-light runners and criminals of all types who could hack their plates to make their numbers obstructed or invisible. Second, would it really be a good idea to turn each and every car in California into a flashing neon billboard? Which company would want to be "that company" that had the ad that caused crashes? Would you really like seeing much more ads when driving? There also is apparently some concern about property rights. Does the state even have the rights to sell space on private property for advertisements the drivers wouldn't make a cent on? What do you think about the idea?