Tuesday 3rd July 2001

Crackdown

It's expected next year that number plate suppliers will become subject to increased controls to prevent fraud. With speed cameras making motorists' lives a misery, many former law-abiding drivers are taking the easy option of having false plates made up, often with just a single digit incorrect. Moves are afoot to ensure that suppliers report all number plates made up and to require proof of entitlement to the number being made.

---

[andywaterfall]

How will they stop plates being nicked then? If you''re that way inclined, taking a couple of minutes with a screwdriver isn''t going to be a problem... AndyW

[bosshog]

maybe I should start an internet based reg supply service from France - not much the police could do about that!

[sybaseian]

there are two types of false plates - altering a number so that it doesn't match your vehicle and changing the number to match an identical vehicle belonging to someone else (ringed). Both should offences should carry serious penalties - how would you feel if someone changed their vehicle number to match yours! That doesn't mean that I agree with the evermore pervasive way that speed cameras are filling someone elses coffers. Just wait until you get a speeding ticket that you didn't deserve and try proving you that your not guilty.