To your point the vast majority of cops have better things to do than issue tickets for not having a front plate. Obviously not having a front plate is not a safety issue; it's all about revenue collection. I live in MD and legislation has been introduced every year for the past five to eliminate front plates, but it's always voted down. Why? Studies are presented suggesting that MD will lose hundreds of thousands in revenue without the front plate. The theory is that tracking down drivers who don't pay tolls will be problematic without the front plate.

I have never had a front plate, and have only been stopped twice: one $60 ticket and one warning. I have found out that there are high risk areas for not having a front plate, and others where cops are indifferent. So I have a tow hook plate, but only mount it when going into high risk areas like Baltimore city. I'd estimate that I have the front plate mounted just a few days a year. The nice thing about the tow hook solution is that it just takes a couple of minutes to add or remove the front plate.

 

I think you give them more credit than they deserve. Unfortunately the sad truth is the vast majority of them really have nothing better to do than to chase you down for lack of a front plate. I know because I've been pulled over several times by them driving down the opposite direction only to pull a U-turn and chase me down. I fully understand it's pay to play, but I'm just disappointed they're so eager to ticket for something that isn't a safety concern. They should be spending their time pulling over people who do 184km/h, something actually dangerous and jeopardizes public safety.

With regards to revenue generation, people forget the cost of those to fight the ticket. I think a good portion of those who actively choose to ignore the front plate are enthusiasts who know they can simply bring it to court to have the ticket dropped. Heck, I had a cop tell me this as he was giving me the ticket. This costs the city more money because it is clogging up the court system with cases that they don't actually generate revenue from. I estimate I've been pulled over around 5 times for the front plate and I've only had to pay it once. So I think it is debatable how profitable this regulation really is. Always fight the ticket even if you plan to pay for it, just wait to have the court date set up and pay it on the last day. Help clog the system up. It is our only way of protesting their quotas and BS tickets. Most tickets are a money grab rather than concern for public safety. Don't get me wrong, I 100% support harsh punishments for people who drink and drive or far exceed the speed limit etc. But most tickets are for minor BS.

Lastly, I think it is established that the front plate isn't what they use for tracking tolls or traffic cameras.

 

I did awhile back. Mentioned the front plate and artificially low speed limits on 400 series highways.

 

New Brunswick just ditched the front plate.

Ontario budget is April 11. I'm hopeful we can get rid of it.

 

Did you get a response?

 

Thank you for your email blah blah blah ...

 

I can't believe this thread is still going.

 

Yes, fantastic! Hopefully those that are not interested have stopped looking at this thread

 

[QUOTE=991.2 GTS;15742878]Yes, fantastic! Hopefully those that are not interested have stopped looking at this thread[/QUOTE

its a strange thread - I generally pick up my cars at factory and they give me the option of a temp front fitting to take the Euro plates when I’m there. I just tell them to drill the damn thing. There are things I care about in terms of car specifications.

This one is no.9999,9999 on my list.

Still,it obviously matters to some people on this side of the Atlantic. Even if the law changes I will just leave the plates on.

 

Ya but you have cool plates lol!

 

PLATES for ONTARIO For those people here in Ontario interested in telling Mr Ford to please rescind the requirement for the front plate in his upcoming policy statement - so you can legally drive without worrying - please send him your thoughts here. Be nice :-)
https://correspondence.premier.gov.o...k/default.aspx

 

I sent him a message that I'm against the removal of the front plates.

 

While this sounds nice, my mind melts at thinking of all the holes I will have to fix and repaint.

 

Bumper plugs...much less visible compared to a big white rectangular object on the front of the car

 

Think about the new holes you'll never need to drill ever again.