Abolishing Front License Plate in Ontario [Archive]

EvilDeadFan

07-03-2007, 03:59 PM

Amen to that. I signed it.
I hate how they need a front plate, which on our cars is pretty brutal looking, such a large holder. And making it illegal for plate covers only leaves them pitted from rocks which very quickly turns to rust, then replacement of the plates both front and rear since they have to be a matching pair... I mean my god man. I'm tempted to move across the river into Quebec to have that plate removed!

Broli

07-03-2007, 04:01 PM

i signed it!

amen, let this happen . . .

it wont... but it would be sweet!

:D

WLS ZMZM

07-03-2007, 04:04 PM

Signed.... agree with Broli... it sure would be nice.. to only have a rear plate.. but it won't happen....

MattC

07-03-2007, 04:20 PM

I am going to start another petition, to force the government to pay for our bumpers to be re-painted if we were victims of this law.

Skarbro

07-03-2007, 04:20 PM

Noble effort. But it will NEVER happen IMO.

3GFX

07-03-2007, 04:34 PM

I'm one for it.....now how to plug those holes...too soon?

RedRaptor

07-03-2007, 04:39 PM

Noble effort. But it will NEVER happen IMO.

I agree with Scarborough for once. Waste of effort and time.

Jeff-TheBiz

07-03-2007, 04:42 PM

woo hoo..

Okay, so who wants to put this on Mazda3Forums?

bubba1983

07-03-2007, 04:46 PM

^^ i aquired it from a member from m3f already!

Virgy

07-03-2007, 04:47 PM

done! Worth a try!

Garu

07-03-2007, 04:58 PM

Worth a try. Just signing your name.

dentinger

07-03-2007, 05:08 PM

how many sigs are we gonna need for this to even get looked at??
im guessing thousands...... and so far, we are at about 300.....

PlatMS6

07-03-2007, 05:08 PM

Hopefully it passes... as for the holes....u can get plugs that are pretty flat fitting and you just hit em with some touch up paint - barely can notice it!

The 3/6 look so much better without em! Plus the dealers wont need to drill bumpers no more :p

boogie

07-03-2007, 05:14 PM

Do these petitions ever actually do anything? I've signed it anyways, but doubt anything will happen.

Skarbro

07-03-2007, 05:17 PM

how many sigs are we gonna need for this to even get looked at??
im guessing thousands...... and so far, we are at about 300.....
Not only would it require a hideous amount of signatures, you would have to find a provincial MP that even gives a rat's ass, and that would propose a bill that would pass.

In the end, it's a VERY insignificant issue that would never see the light of day in a bill. There are way more important things for our politicians to debate over. Hell, I'm sure MP's would be embarrassed to propose such a small thing and would probably be laughed at if they did.

07-03-2007, 06:04 PM

Done. I've added my name.

dentinger

07-03-2007, 09:03 PM

or you could just become friends with the MP, and if that doesnt work, you could always bribe him/her.... lol

OR!! get one of those flip up license plates :P
that way when you get pulled over, you just flip a switch and voila, "excuse me officer, but i have a front plate... see?" **flips switch** lol

Caz

07-03-2007, 11:00 PM

It would cut the cost of producing plates by 50%, so I am sure someone in the government would listen. They could play it off like it is better for the tax payers.

EvilDeadFan

07-03-2007, 11:43 PM

Not only would it require a hideous amount of signatures, you would have to find a provincial MP that even gives a rat's ass, and that would propose a bill that would pass.

In the end, it's a VERY insignificant issue that would never see the light of day in a bill. There are way more important things for our politicians to debate over. Hell, I'm sure MP's would be embarrassed to propose such a small thing and would probably be laughed at if they did.

So what if we all approach the same mp? 300 people knocking on his door? If I were them I'd see the positive points, and do it to shut them the hell up :P

Skarbro

07-04-2007, 03:23 AM

So what if we all approach the same mp? 300 people knocking on his door? If I were them I'd see the positive points, and do it to shut them the hell up :P
You would probably need a hell of a lot more than 300 people - more like 3,000 people minimum. And you would have to get the press on your side. It would have to be a political issue. Let's get realistic though. Front licence plates don't win/loses votes, so this will never happen, IMO.

starwind

07-04-2007, 08:26 AM

One thing to keep in mind... apparently a snailmailed letter carries the most "weight" for MPPs/MPs. Petitions are easy to sign and so each signature carries less "weight". I recall from government class way back when that there is actually some kind of ratio (i.e. a snailmail letter is worth XXXX signatures on a petition) as a rough guide...

(and email != snailmail)

bluntman

07-04-2007, 08:51 AM

How come I have a feeling that this, somehow, will end up on my desk?

:D

Garu

07-04-2007, 11:38 AM

Let's put this on Facebook. Then we may get over 3000 people.

MattC

07-04-2007, 11:55 AM

Skarbro

07-04-2007, 12:05 PM

there is no real functional reason to not have a front plate, so it will never be abolished.

I just wish it was optional.

Its not like the cops driving by you in the opposite direction would have the time to write your plate down or radio it in or whatever, so it doesnt even serve a purpose for the cops.

It is probably a cash grab for the government, as they obivously can charge more for 2 plates than 1.
Of course it's functional. It's easier to identify a car when the plate is on the front as well as the back.

Also, the laser guns use the reflective paint on the front plates to help clock speeders.

MattC

07-04-2007, 12:12 PM

Maybe I confused you with the wording of my post, i said :

there is no real functional reason to not have a front plate,

meaning there isnt even really an argument we can make up as to why it would be better to have no front plates.

I mean I am all for not having it, but either way, i need my bumper repainted to cover up the holes that are already drilled... oh well if you guys manage to do away with it, my next car wont have a ugly plate holder :)

Skarbro

07-04-2007, 12:13 PM

Ah got you. I guess I jumped to conclusions because of this part:

Its not like the cops driving by you in the opposite direction would have the time to write your plate down or radio it in or whatever, so it doesnt even serve a purpose for the cops.

WildEmu

07-04-2007, 12:16 PM

Too bad we'll never get to see this pass. As much as everyone agrees with it, MPPs will never get to such an issue.

justin

07-04-2007, 12:20 PM

Agreed. Waste of a petition.

+1. Good luck getting this to happen. That front plate is there for a reason.

sp3GT

07-04-2007, 03:27 PM

What's the reason?
I never knew that there were 5 provinces in Canada that don't require the plate.

EvilDeadFan

07-04-2007, 04:01 PM

Of course it's functional. It's easier to identify a car when the plate is on the front as well as the back.

Also, the laser guns use the reflective paint on the front plates to help clock speeders.

They also reflect off of your headlights.

dentinger

07-05-2007, 12:19 AM

on second thought, i like my front plate, only cuz its hidding a 1 inch hold from a fender bender in the winter.....
sheesh, my friends car gets a VERY minor scratch, and i get a smashed up plate/holder, and a nice sized hole in my bumper...
wait, isnt this a reason to REMOVE my front plate?? cuz it inflicts to much damage in fender benders???

-RJ3-

07-08-2007, 05:47 PM

IF this so called Front plate "abolishing" happens, can i finally put my jdm plate at the front LOL

torpedo20

07-11-2007, 01:32 PM

signed it.

Long overdue, too.

Skarbro

07-11-2007, 02:28 PM

Can anyone provide an arguement as to why you want the front plates gone other than and aesthetic reason? I can only think of reasons of why they shouldn't be abolished.

dredd2099

07-12-2007, 09:02 AM

donezor

MattC

07-12-2007, 09:21 AM

Yeah Skarbro, itll never happen since there isnt like a safety argument for NOT HAVING the front plate...

too bad though, I just wish dealers didnt go ahead and drill the frickin plate holders into all their cars, I wish they would do it at point of sale.

plontoc

07-15-2007, 07:17 PM

I signed it. I hate the front plate.

Skarbro

07-16-2007, 05:41 AM

Can anyone provide an arguement as to why you want the front plates gone other than and aesthetic reason? I can only think of reasons of why they shouldn't be abolished.
Heh... I guess not!

Caz

07-16-2007, 08:56 AM

What about the extra cost of having a second plate. You could cut the cost of making the plates by 50%.

EvilDeadFan

07-16-2007, 09:33 AM

Heh... I guess not!

Did you even read the comments and the actual form? It lists many reasons.

Skarbro

07-16-2007, 09:41 AM

Did you even read the comments and the actual form? It lists many reasons.
The only ones I read were the money thing and some comments about saving the environment. It's a tad lengthy. Anyway it's really moot because it will never happen IMO.

ptwonline

07-16-2007, 09:49 AM

What about the extra cost of having a second plate. You could cut the cost of making the plates by 50%.

Physical manufacturing costs of plates are quite minor. The majority of the cost is the administration of the plate system, and that won't change by going to 1 plate only.

bluntman

07-16-2007, 10:01 AM

I'm pretty certain that this petition has been around, in one form or another, for quite a long time. As Skarboro said, if anyone can come up with a reason, other than aesthetic and is valid for Ontario residents and will bring significant benefit to the government and taxpayers, then please bring it forward, otherwise...

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5792/beatdeadhorse3lk.jpg

MattC

07-16-2007, 10:15 AM

lol @ bluntman's pic

Caz

07-16-2007, 12:43 PM

Physical manufacturing costs of plates are quite minor. The majority of the cost is the administration of the plate system, and that won't change by going to 1 plate only.

If the government can find a way to cut cost like this, they should apply it, no matter how minor you may think it is. Money saved is money saved and a minor savings will equal major savings over time.

ptwonline

07-16-2007, 01:34 PM

If the government can find a way to cut cost like this, they should apply it, no matter how minor you may think it is. Money saved is money saved and a minor savings will equal major savings over time.

I'm guessing that they'll save a few bucks per plate, and so probably around $1 million/yr. That's a lot of money to you and me, but in terms of a provincial budget, it's nothing (Ontario Ministry of Transportation budget is somewere around $1.6 billion). They might spend more than that just figuring out whether getting rid of them is actually a good idea or not. Longer term, that savings will probably simply be swallowed to be a minor part of another project. New project to spend $125 million to fix bridges? Well, now it's $126 million. Whoopee! Or maybe they get higher quality coffee at the Ministry offices.

If you want to have an impact, you are going to have to find ways to save significantly more money than that.

Skarbro

07-16-2007, 01:37 PM

The provincial budget doesn't pay for the licence plates - we do.

Caz

07-16-2007, 01:59 PM

I'm guessing that they'll save a few bucks per plate, and so probably around $1 million/yr. That's a lot of money to you and me, but in terms of a provincial budget, it's nothing (Ontario Ministry of Transportation budget is somewere around $1.6 billion). They might spend more than that just figuring out whether getting rid of them is actually a good idea or not. Longer term, that savings will probably simply be swallowed to be a minor part of another project. New project to spend $125 million to fix bridges? Well, now it's $126 million. Whoopee! Or maybe they get higher quality coffee at the Ministry offices.

If you want to have an impact, you are going to have to find ways to save significantly more money than that.

You are only looking at the price of the finished plates, there are lots of savings to be had as well as less impact on the environment. The reduced costs would be found in cost of materials, the cost to make them, the cost to ship raw materials to the plant, the cost to ship the finished plates from the plant, cost of packaging finshed plates. This would also reduce the admin. costs on every level as there would be half the product moving every direction. I am not saying it will save huge dollars and fund the newest highway but if they could find a million dollars in every budget without cutting service it is a step in the right direction.

MattC

07-16-2007, 02:07 PM

all this worry about licence plates...

lets call a spade a spade... the reason people want to abolish them is simply asthetic, and they are conjuring up all these extra reasons to try to justify it. I would rather see them pass something that would force the government to fill in potholes quickly, or do road work on major streets at night..

that being said, i still signed the petition, just cause of asthetic reasons.

ptwonline

07-16-2007, 02:20 PM

The provincial budget doesn't pay for the licence plates - we do.

Do you actually believe that you will see the price of new license plates drop if they went to 1 plate only?

Actually they might just to avoid the bad PR. I won't get all worked up about an extra $5 each time I need new plates though, and maybe 50 cents/yr for one less sticker. This year was the first year I've needed new plates since 1995.

ptwonline

07-16-2007, 02:23 PM

You are only looking at the price of the finished plates, there are lots of savings to be had as well as less impact on the environment. The reduced costs would be found in cost of materials, the cost to make them, the cost to ship raw materials to the plant, the cost to ship the finished plates from the plant, cost of packaging finshed plates. This would also reduce the admin. costs on every level as there would be half the product moving every direction. I am not saying it will save huge dollars and fund the newest highway but if they could find a million dollars in every budget without cutting service it is a step in the right direction.

I don't deny that it would save money or be more environmentally friendly. I'm just saying that the amount is so relatively small that if you try to sell this change based on those savings, I doubt that you are going to get very far. To overcome the arguments that the police will surely make for keeping the front plate, you're going to have to have a much better reason than these savings.

Skarbro

07-16-2007, 02:28 PM

Do you actually believe that you will see the price of new license plates drop if they went to 1 plate only?

Actually they might just to avoid the bad PR. I won't get all worked up about an extra $5 each time I need new plates though, and maybe 50 cents/yr for one less sticker. This year was the first year I've needed new plates since 1995.
I didn't say that the price would drop. I only pointed out that we pay for the plates, not the provincial gov't.

And you don't put stickers on the front plate, so there would be no less stickers.

ptwonline

07-16-2007, 02:48 PM

I didn't say that the price would drop. I only pointed out that we pay for the plates, not the provincial gov't.

And you don't put stickers on the front plate, so there would be no less stickers.

That's right. Dangit, there goes my 50 cents/yr!

BTW, we don't just pay for the physical plates themselves. We essentially pay a tax in order to get/renew license plates for our cars. I don't think there is any true relationship between that tax amount and the actual cost.