childzplay

I got stopped by a dxck cop who was sitting outside a high school in Fremont, CA. These two cops were sitting on their motorcycles as the kids went to school.

I was stopped for having illegal tint on my front windows. I've been expecting this for a long time, but was never pulled over. Normally I would roll down my windows, but I've passed so many cops who didn't give a shxt, I got lazy. The one time I didn't roll them down - pinched.

So, OK I knew that was coming. Next he wrote me up for having clear bulbs in my rear signals. I guess you're supposed to have amber bulbs. After he wrote me the ticket he told me, oh - and you don't have a front license plate. At this point I was getting pissed off - he let me off without having the plate. I do have a really nice black AMG emblem where the plate was supposed to go. Does that count? hehe

I took the fix it ticket to Milpitas CA after I removed the tint and replaced the bulbs. The officer who signed the ticket didn't even look at my car. He signed it off and seemed pissed that I was bothering him.

This is in the same city (Fremont, CA) where they won't come over to your house if the burglar alarm goes off. I guess they're too busy busting people for fix it tickets.

Kev04C320

In MA, if your license plate frame covers "The Spirit of America" in the bottom of the plate, you can get pulled over. So, I don't have an AMG or Mercedes Benz plate frame. However, I don't have a front plate either even though it's required in MA.

amgmark

I know exactly where that is, I work about a block away. I will see what I can do!!

jgsx

Same in Illinois. If you have any writing on the plate obstructed, that's a violation. It is also a violation to have ANY form of plate cover (like those clear plate protector things).

amgmark

I never said it did anything to performance. It is just fugly as hell to such a nice clean bumper.

IMO we have too many laws.. Next they will be able to give you a ticket for not having your shoes tied!!

I am not arguing that it is illegal, I know this. I am arguing that it is one of many stupid laws the powers that be pass to keep you under their thumb. If you don't realize this then there is no help for you.

Cops don't drive in front of you and I doubt they can read your plate very well in the rear view so you really only need the rear plate. The only reason for a front plate that I can gather is for traffic camera's but there are only like 10 maybe in all of San Diego?? besides they also take a pic of your rear plate.

(Ironically I am in favor of traffic light cameras and would like to see more of them)

H-townbenzoboy

BUZZZZ!!! Wrong answer! Try again! Front plates have been around for DECADES longer than traffic light cameras and other cameras on the road have, they've been around since before your grandparents were born probably. I think a more plausible and rational explanation for front mounted plates would be something along these lines...

Ex: A vehicle is reported stolen, it's a silver C-class with plate number "123-ABC". Cop hears this on his radio, and is driving down the street. Sees a silver C-class in the oncoming lane, sees the front plate says "678-XYZ" on the opposite side, so he keeps going. A few miles later down the road, he sees another silver C-class, front plate says "123-ABC", he can quickly turn around and get the theif. Had the front plate not been there, he would've wasted time turning around going after the other car to look at the rear plate.

Now, I'm not telling you to go put your front plate on, it's your car and driving record, but your reasoning for why front plates are required in some states doesn't make sense.

sales@eurocharged.com

I just moved from Georgia and they don't require front plates. Also, there are 19 or more other states that do not require it, including all of the states that border Texas.

I think they are a waste of resources and money.

amgmark

OK.. makes sense..

john89011

I got a ticket on Madison Ave here in NYC for having clear covers over the plate $65 while the car was parked. Out of 1 mill. cars in the city they had to pick on mine. That just shows me how busy they are post 9-11

85Cosworth

Here is another way to look at it. Cops don't go to your work and tell how you how to do your job. Don't try to tell them how to do theirs.

amgmark

Oh how cliche.. how long did it take you to think that one up..

transferred

FrankW

we have a front plate law???? rofl...jk

none of the cars in my family has front plates except the minivan and we've never been pulled over for the front plate other than the minivan (parents' old 96 Dodge Caravan, not the new 05 Odyssey), so go figure.

the101dragons

THis method doesn't work in Denver at the parking meters. I got a ticket for this.

tee_tz

Ding, ding, ding, ding!!

CORRECT!! ...lol.


Tee_Tz.

tee_tz

Look, you guys might feel it's a waste of time and resources, but it helps cops (and other law enforcements, and people, and pedestrians and so forth) do their job easier and quicker. Also in the speed camera case, if the camera for some reason cannot read the rear license plate properly (due to dirt, bad angel, yatta-yatta), there is always the back up from the front plate.

The fact of the matter is laws are rightly created. Now, for those of you who do not understand, let me say, rightly because you are not the only one in the country. Therefore, laws are created for the consideration of everyone. Some laws you hate while others like, some law you like while others hate. It cannot please everyone all the time. Also remember this, if anything, "your freedom ends where another's begins."

But hey, as I've said, it's absolutely fine to not put on your license plate, I know I didn't want to put one on my BMW - it looked so clean, but I'm just saying, WHEN you get the ticket (cause you will) don't complain. Perhaps you can show up to court with your 16,000 people petition and plead your case, while the cop shows up with a copy of the state law.


Tee_Tz.

amgmark

Well.. I don't run red lights..

FYI, my finance was killed by a drunk driver who ran a red light going 70 in a 35..

So I hate when people run red lights, and I absolutely loathe drunk drivers and will report them immediately..

tee_tz

Very sorry to hear about your loss. Drunk driving is a careless action - you think that it's your life and you can do whatever you want to do, but you don't realize that you endanger other peoples lives as well. Goes back to the saying, your freedom ends where another's begins, it's truly sad to hear accidents that result from drunk driving. Again, very sorry to hear and I'm sure it's made you a more conscience and attentive driver.

I sometimes feel those who just started driving are somewhat better than us who've driven for a long time. They are nervous, they are scared, they are taking all precautions, while sometimes we feel we've done it some many times; it's so easy, we can multi task, and that leads into an accident. Let's always remember, safety first.



Tee_Tz.

Saprissa

bltserv

One of those laws that seems questionable.
Kind of like illegal aliens. Oh forgot. Thats a federal problem.
Another law ignored and dismissed by our local law enforcement.

18% of all cars in Cali. No front plates.
Cost to taxpayers. Zero.

8%+ of all people in Cali. Illegal Status.
Cost to taxpayers. Priceless.

5%+ of all Cali drivers. No License.
Cost to our Insurance. Mucho !

Lets go after Benz owners with no front plates.
Law enforcement dollars really well spent ! NOT.

Its called revenue enhancement. Not law enforcement.

ScottW911

Couldn't have said it better myself!

jacek9478

Ladies and Gentlemen !
This is an input from former State Trooper from Illinois (retired): One of the main reasons for frnt plates is ability to reflect laser and radar!
According to him, Law Enforcement asked (requested) manufacturers of lic. plates to coat them with highly reflective paint. That was implemented few years back when many cars lost their square fronts in favor to aerodynamics. This made old radars to give faulty readings. And it was a quick fix for old technology and now it's just perfect for lasers.

D_Star

today was my day...

AMG_55

davidbho

dude, I just got a ticket for no plates...the car was parked on the street in San Francisco. Fregging meter maids. Looked at the tix, $100 bucks, but comments said it was fixable, and 10 bucks if I get it signed off...BS