The state of California is $19 billion dollars in debt and to reduce the deficit will require some rather unconventional and unique ideas. One suggestion that is making its way through legislation at this time is the introduction of new electronic license plates.
The new plates would be like a billboard that offers a platform upon which advertising could be splashed. Now, if you are thinking that you might get a chance to see a trailer for a new summer blockbuster movie, that won’t happen. But, when the car is stopped for a period of 4 seconds or longer, the assumption would be that you are at a red light or stuck in a traffic jam and in these situations, advertising will begin to scroll. As for the license plate number, these will remain viewable in an unobstructed fashion in one corner of the plate.
I don’t think many would be happy with having to watch commercials while in traffic but one of the benefits of the proposed system is the ability to display Amber alerts, updated traffic information or emergency instructions if the situation calls for them.
