Source: http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines...censeplatestobalancethebudget,0,3161224.story
Sacramento - 19 billion dollars in the red and the California legislature is spending time debating the merits of electronic license plates. You've seen them over by Cal Expo and along interstate 80 at the Roseville Auto Mall. Now, imagine something like that on the back of your car.
According to Senate Bill 1453, they would look like license plates while in motion; but when stopped for more than four seconds and ad or a message would appear. Juan Portilla of Sacramento is not amused: Why does the state want to advertise on my vehicle. Once again it's an invasion of your privacy maybe? Yea, stuff like that. 26 year old Curtis Ruise tired to embrace the concept, Ahhhh, that sounds kind of weird, ahhh, before scratching his head and giving up.
In emergencies the plates could be used to broadcast Amber alerts. But the people developing this technology envision it as a billboard for advertisers; or a message board where people can root for their favorite teams or pledge their love for someone.
Logistically it's a technological nightmare, marketing entrepreneur Brian Roat says equipping millions of cars would be a nightmare. Roat used LCD technology on billboards during last months' Tour of California bike race. I'm having a hard time seeing how something like this is going to be durable enough? offered FOX 40's John Lobertini. I've worked in computers for 20 years. You don't go take a computer monitor and strap it on the back of your car where it's getting vibration, and shaking, and it's exposed to the environment Roat says.
At the State Capitol the feeling is, this could help balance future budgets. The author of the bill, Los Angeles State Senator Curren Price, told one news service: It's an exciting marriage of technology with need, and an opportunity to keep California in the forefront.
Right now, you can buy frames that light up or spell out messages. But nothing that looks like a license plate; not even a prototype. Ashley Alderson was pushing a baby stroller through the mall when she stopped to offer this observation, Why spend extra money transferring everybody's license plate to some fancy dancy LCD screen.
Backers say this could streamline the DMV process; but the cost isn't yet available. A few minutes into our interview Curtis Ruise came to one conclusion: he wants a cut:Shouldn't they be paying us, if they want to promote something.
This sounds like one of those great ideas that may ultimately end up costing California more time and money than it's worth. SB 1453 has, however, passed one Senate Committee; and a date with the Assembly Transportation Committee is set for Monday.
Sacramento - 19 billion dollars in the red and the California legislature is spending time debating the merits of electronic license plates. You've seen them over by Cal Expo and along interstate 80 at the Roseville Auto Mall. Now, imagine something like that on the back of your car.
According to Senate Bill 1453, they would look like license plates while in motion; but when stopped for more than four seconds and ad or a message would appear. Juan Portilla of Sacramento is not amused: Why does the state want to advertise on my vehicle. Once again it's an invasion of your privacy maybe? Yea, stuff like that. 26 year old Curtis Ruise tired to embrace the concept, Ahhhh, that sounds kind of weird, ahhh, before scratching his head and giving up.
In emergencies the plates could be used to broadcast Amber alerts. But the people developing this technology envision it as a billboard for advertisers; or a message board where people can root for their favorite teams or pledge their love for someone.
Logistically it's a technological nightmare, marketing entrepreneur Brian Roat says equipping millions of cars would be a nightmare. Roat used LCD technology on billboards during last months' Tour of California bike race. I'm having a hard time seeing how something like this is going to be durable enough? offered FOX 40's John Lobertini. I've worked in computers for 20 years. You don't go take a computer monitor and strap it on the back of your car where it's getting vibration, and shaking, and it's exposed to the environment Roat says.
At the State Capitol the feeling is, this could help balance future budgets. The author of the bill, Los Angeles State Senator Curren Price, told one news service: It's an exciting marriage of technology with need, and an opportunity to keep California in the forefront.
Right now, you can buy frames that light up or spell out messages. But nothing that looks like a license plate; not even a prototype. Ashley Alderson was pushing a baby stroller through the mall when she stopped to offer this observation, Why spend extra money transferring everybody's license plate to some fancy dancy LCD screen.
Backers say this could streamline the DMV process; but the cost isn't yet available. A few minutes into our interview Curtis Ruise came to one conclusion: he wants a cut:Shouldn't they be paying us, if they want to promote something.
This sounds like one of those great ideas that may ultimately end up costing California more time and money than it's worth. SB 1453 has, however, passed one Senate Committee; and a date with the Assembly Transportation Committee is set for Monday.
