Slight chance NJ front plate law can be repealed.
Thread Starter
He's as bad as Can
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, NJ
Slight chance NJ front plate law can be repealed.
Today is the first time I saw something about getting rid of a states front plate law that wasn’t a useless online petition. Assemblyman Wisniewski plans to introduce a bill to do so. If enough people can contact their state representatives and Mr. Wisniewski this bill might just get some legs. We should send some emails and try and get more representatives behind Assemblyman Wisniewski. Posting on other popular car board’s NJ section can also help.
LINK
Bill may kill front plates
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 08/8/07
BY LARRY HIGGS
STAFF WRITER
Story Chat Post Comment
TRENTON — Pennsylvania doesn't have them, but cars and trucks in New Jersey, New York and all of the New England states have front license plates.
If a bill proposed by a Central Jersey assemblyman passes, Jersey could ditch the front plate, too. There are 20 states around the country that require rear plates only as a cost-saving measure.
The state has required front and back license plates since 1936, which is as far back as state Motor Vehicle Commission records go, said Cathleen Lewis, MVC spokeswoman.
Law enforcement concerns are why New Jersey has required a front plate for identification, she said.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, who heads the Assembly Transportation Committee, is proposing a bill to do away with the front plate, calling it "superfluous." He said he will introduce legislation — not yet drafted — when the Legislature reconvenes this fall.
Wisniewski said eliminating the front plate could save the state money in manufacturing costs and eliminate the demand for specialty plates devoted to various causes.
"If we eliminate the front plate, that would be the perfect place for individuals to display whatever their cause may be," Wisniewski said.
William Cicchetti, president of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association, said police oppose such a change. Front plates enhance public safety at traffic stops and vehicle checks, he has said.
But Wisniewski said it seems clear most traffic stops involve the back license plate.
Prison industry
The state's beige and black plates are still made the old-fashioned way: by inmates in Bayside Correctional Facility in Leesburg, Cumberland County. But some of the plates have started showing signs of deterioration, with colors fading to gray and others with peeling paint.
The plates are made by applying vinyl sheeting to aluminum plates, said Herbert Lewis, industrial engineer and manager of Deptcor, the state Department of Corrections manufacturing arm. The vinyl license plate sheeting, manufactured by 3M, has a five-year warranty, he said.
The graying and discoloration happen when the vinyl gets a pinhole, which allows moisture to get between the clear coat and the vinyl or between the vinyl and the aluminum plate, he said.
"I pull up behind a car, and when I can't read it (the license plate), it's because the plate is old, and there may have been a cut in the plate (sheeting)," Herbert Lewis said. "Most of the failures are plates that are well over five years old. The sheeting is strong — if you puncture it, it may take a while (to discolor)."
States have been required by the federal government to make license plates reflective for easier identification by law enforcement at night.
That was one of the reasons New Jersey switched from the blue and cream-colored license plates, introduced in 1979, to the current plate in 1991. Some of the blue and cream plates are still on the road, as are a few of an earlier generation of cream-colored plates with black lettering issued between 1959 and 1979.
Herbert Lewis has tested vinyl sheeting from different manufacturers with salt water to make sure it can stand up to conditions found in New Jersey.
So far, there are no plans to recall the graying plates, Cath-leen Lewis said.
"As long as the plate is legible, and the number is legible, it is a legal plate," Lewis said. "It's an ongoing problem. It may be due to cars sitting in the sun."
Motorists who want to replace aging plates can do so. The MVC will supply new ones for $6, she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
LINK
Bill may kill front plates
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 08/8/07
BY LARRY HIGGS
STAFF WRITER
Story Chat Post Comment
TRENTON — Pennsylvania doesn't have them, but cars and trucks in New Jersey, New York and all of the New England states have front license plates.
If a bill proposed by a Central Jersey assemblyman passes, Jersey could ditch the front plate, too. There are 20 states around the country that require rear plates only as a cost-saving measure.
The state has required front and back license plates since 1936, which is as far back as state Motor Vehicle Commission records go, said Cathleen Lewis, MVC spokeswoman.
Law enforcement concerns are why New Jersey has required a front plate for identification, she said.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, who heads the Assembly Transportation Committee, is proposing a bill to do away with the front plate, calling it "superfluous." He said he will introduce legislation — not yet drafted — when the Legislature reconvenes this fall.
Wisniewski said eliminating the front plate could save the state money in manufacturing costs and eliminate the demand for specialty plates devoted to various causes.
"If we eliminate the front plate, that would be the perfect place for individuals to display whatever their cause may be," Wisniewski said.
William Cicchetti, president of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association, said police oppose such a change. Front plates enhance public safety at traffic stops and vehicle checks, he has said.
But Wisniewski said it seems clear most traffic stops involve the back license plate.
Prison industry
The state's beige and black plates are still made the old-fashioned way: by inmates in Bayside Correctional Facility in Leesburg, Cumberland County. But some of the plates have started showing signs of deterioration, with colors fading to gray and others with peeling paint.
The plates are made by applying vinyl sheeting to aluminum plates, said Herbert Lewis, industrial engineer and manager of Deptcor, the state Department of Corrections manufacturing arm. The vinyl license plate sheeting, manufactured by 3M, has a five-year warranty, he said.
The graying and discoloration happen when the vinyl gets a pinhole, which allows moisture to get between the clear coat and the vinyl or between the vinyl and the aluminum plate, he said.
"I pull up behind a car, and when I can't read it (the license plate), it's because the plate is old, and there may have been a cut in the plate (sheeting)," Herbert Lewis said. "Most of the failures are plates that are well over five years old. The sheeting is strong — if you puncture it, it may take a while (to discolor)."
States have been required by the federal government to make license plates reflective for easier identification by law enforcement at night.
That was one of the reasons New Jersey switched from the blue and cream-colored license plates, introduced in 1979, to the current plate in 1991. Some of the blue and cream plates are still on the road, as are a few of an earlier generation of cream-colored plates with black lettering issued between 1959 and 1979.
Herbert Lewis has tested vinyl sheeting from different manufacturers with salt water to make sure it can stand up to conditions found in New Jersey.
So far, there are no plans to recall the graying plates, Cath-leen Lewis said.
"As long as the plate is legible, and the number is legible, it is a legal plate," Lewis said. "It's an ongoing problem. It may be due to cars sitting in the sun."
Motorists who want to replace aging plates can do so. The MVC will supply new ones for $6, she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
VRZOOMZOOM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Central Jersey
hmm no front plate would rock in NJ. I kind am jealous when i'm cruising in PA and see an 8 without a front plate. Looks so much smoother. I also dont think in general auto makers plan a place for front plates. Most of the time they plan a place for just rear plates. It just looks weird on some cars to have a front plate and the 8 would be one of those cars. Messes up the flow of the front end and blockin the big grill.
Thread Starter
He's as bad as Can
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, NJ
Received this letter today from the Assemblyman behind this. People should rephrase some of the points he listed and write their own NJ legislators. This is the only real chance of getting rid of front plates in Jersey. Take five minutes and send an letter or email, the first post has links in case you do not know your legislators.
Registered
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, VA
Is there a Virginia petition? I'd pay money to support repealing such a dumb law which reduces my fuel efficiency, aesthetics, and causes my car to operate at slightly higher temperatures! Bottom line is there is no reason for a front license plate other than an easy target for a cop to hit with a radar/laser gun.
Thread Starter
He's as bad as Can
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, NJ
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