caddyowner

Ohio may be able to save $2M to (at last) ditch the front license plate.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/art...-plate-save-2M

IS-SV

Keep up the cost cutting, many billion more to go in so most states needed.

wassystyle

Some thing CA should be looking in to!!!

iRock

iTrader: (12)

Sure hope ca does this

tuan92129

Why do we have front plates again?

stick

Well, I guess it's not that big of a deal, but how is Ohio going to save $2M? By not manufacturing the front (2nd) plate, the state will save money through manufacturing costs?

In CA, don't the prisoners at San Quentin still make the state's license plates? I remember when they did. Seems like a money saver to me.

dunnojack

do they have speed trap cameras?

if they don't, the front plates are useless anyway

mmarshall

I don't quite see how this is going to save state money. License plates, in most jurisdictions (and, as I understand it, Ohio is no different), are made in the State Penitentiary by the inmates confined there. They all earn the same amount (far below minimum wage), doing their assigned jobs each day, whether it is making license plates, doing other jobs around the prison compound, or working outside on road/chain gangs.

caddyowner

If the state is going to save money by not having to make front plates for the public, they don't know how to price their license plates. I suspect the relatively small savings is from the elimination of front plates from state and local government owned vehicles.

IS-SV

Small savings simply:

1. Labor cost, prisoners are paid (yes well below minimum wage) by the hour, they are not salaried and not given any guarantee of full workweek from a pay standpoint.

2. Direct material costs saved (metal, paint, as well as electricity and other indirect costs to run machinery).

3. Postage savings (2 plates weigh more.than 1).

Blackraven

I raise the counter argument back: Why do some cars not have front plates?

This was one of the first things I've noticed during my first vacation to America April-May 2010 (California-Nevada and Utah).

My first impression was that some car owners are lazy to have front plates or are intentionally law breakers.

In fact, I even approached one automobile and examined the front bumper and I'm shocked........that it doesn't even have holes or drills or even anchors to attach the front plate. So I assume car manufacturers assume that people won't install front plates (?) hence sending cars with front bumpers without holes or anchors?

Unfortunately, I still couldn't get a straight answer

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

^Because in many states its not required. Most of the states it's required in, it serves no other purpose than to identify a vehicle from the front or just another ticket machine. There is not other TRUE purpose of having them. I'm glad we don't have that ridiculous law here in FL.

caddyowner

Most cars come with a front plate kit that gets bolted through the bumper plastic into holes underneath. It's ugly.

mmarshall

So, what's wrong with identifying a vehicle from the front? That is often a great help in security or law enforcement.....and law enforcement is a lot more than just writing tickets. There are situations where it helps police and witnesses solve (or prevent) major crimes.

mmarshall

True, there would be some small savings here and there...but, by state-budget standards, probably not much. And most plates, nowadays, aren't shipped by mail...you simply get a small year-update-sticker each year that you stick on the upper-right-hand corner. Actual metal plates, in most areas, are usually provided at DMV or at new-car dealerships when you first buy your car.