Why number plate enforcement is carried out...
Discussion
The legislation relating to Vehicle Registration Marks can seem quite complex and some people may feel it is trivial. However, registration plates are not fashion accessories fitted to vehicles. They have only one purpose and that is to allow identification of the vehicle to which they are fitted.
There is a going trend where registration plates are fitted to vehicles in all sorts of weird and wonderful sizes. The fonts (style of letters and numbers) range from italics to Old English, the spacing is altered to read initials or names and screws are strategically placed for the same purpose.
The only type of font that complies is CHARLES WRIGHT. (In layman's terms what would be recognised as a standard registration plate) ·
The name, trademark of the maker and the name and postcode of the supplying outlet. ·
No bolt, screw or fixing or treatment to a plate shall make the characters less easily distinguishable or prevent or impair the making of a photograph.
Regulations governing the layout of old plates remain unchanged (except motorcycles) ·
Motorcycles from 01/09/01 - new and REPLACMENT plates fitted from this date must consist of two rows of characters (only exemption is a classic motor cycle registered before 01/01/73)
No front number plate is allowed on a motorcycle registered on or after 01/09/01. ·
Dimensions stated must be within 1 mm for height and 0.5mm in any other case. ·
GB sign is now permitted (officially) applied to the extreme left-hand edge. ·
Characters must be easily distinguishable, with or without serifs but not: - ·
Italic ·
None vertical ·
Where the curvature or alignment of the lines of the stroke is substantially different from the prescribed font. ·
Multiple or broken strokes. ·
Formed in such a way as to make the character or characters appear like a different character or characters.
The Police endeavour to provide the best service possible to the public that it serves. The police service's priorities include reducing crime and improving road safety. Adopting a co-ordinated approach to the issue of Vehicle Registration Marks and adhering to the law with regards to the display of registration marks will assist us in our tasks.
Reducing the clarity of Vehicle Registration Marks, to some can seem petty. However taking this view can be somewhat short sighted and assist those people in the community who commit crime and motoring offences that threaten the safety of the communities in which we all live.
Think of a scenario where a member of your family is knocked down and seriously or even fatally injured. The only eyewitness states they saw the car responsible but because the registration plate was smaller than normal and the letters were italic can only say "I'M SORRY I COULDN'T READ THE NUMBER"
The person responsible is that much harder to trace and the longer it takes to trace someone the more evidence can be lost. Technology plays an ever-increasing role in the way the police provide a service. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are now widely used by most forces.
There are people who think that by being creative with the make up or style of their Vehicle Registration Mark that they will avoid detection by the cameras.
This impacts on us all and makes our community less safe. ANPR is equipment now being fitted to a wide number of Police patrol vehicles.
It reads the Vehicle Registration Mark instantaneously when picked up by the in-car camera. Information is regularly downloaded to the system and can instantly alert officers to stolen motor vehicles.
The potential of this system is immense but is dependent on the ability of the system to read the Vehicle Registration Mark. The Police intend to enforce the law relating to this subject using VDR scheme, fixed penalty scheme and summons to Magistrates Court. In the case of cherished registration marks (personalised plates) misrepresenting the number can result in DVLA revoking your right to use the number.
Which is something worth considering if you have paid a lot for the number.
Street
There is a going trend where registration plates are fitted to vehicles in all sorts of weird and wonderful sizes. The fonts (style of letters and numbers) range from italics to Old English, the spacing is altered to read initials or names and screws are strategically placed for the same purpose.
The only type of font that complies is CHARLES WRIGHT. (In layman's terms what would be recognised as a standard registration plate) ·
The name, trademark of the maker and the name and postcode of the supplying outlet. ·
No bolt, screw or fixing or treatment to a plate shall make the characters less easily distinguishable or prevent or impair the making of a photograph.
Regulations governing the layout of old plates remain unchanged (except motorcycles) ·
Motorcycles from 01/09/01 - new and REPLACMENT plates fitted from this date must consist of two rows of characters (only exemption is a classic motor cycle registered before 01/01/73)
No front number plate is allowed on a motorcycle registered on or after 01/09/01. ·
Dimensions stated must be within 1 mm for height and 0.5mm in any other case. ·
GB sign is now permitted (officially) applied to the extreme left-hand edge. ·
Characters must be easily distinguishable, with or without serifs but not: - ·
Italic ·
None vertical ·
Where the curvature or alignment of the lines of the stroke is substantially different from the prescribed font. ·
Multiple or broken strokes. ·
Formed in such a way as to make the character or characters appear like a different character or characters.
The Police endeavour to provide the best service possible to the public that it serves. The police service's priorities include reducing crime and improving road safety. Adopting a co-ordinated approach to the issue of Vehicle Registration Marks and adhering to the law with regards to the display of registration marks will assist us in our tasks.
Reducing the clarity of Vehicle Registration Marks, to some can seem petty. However taking this view can be somewhat short sighted and assist those people in the community who commit crime and motoring offences that threaten the safety of the communities in which we all live.
Think of a scenario where a member of your family is knocked down and seriously or even fatally injured. The only eyewitness states they saw the car responsible but because the registration plate was smaller than normal and the letters were italic can only say "I'M SORRY I COULDN'T READ THE NUMBER"
The person responsible is that much harder to trace and the longer it takes to trace someone the more evidence can be lost. Technology plays an ever-increasing role in the way the police provide a service. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are now widely used by most forces.
There are people who think that by being creative with the make up or style of their Vehicle Registration Mark that they will avoid detection by the cameras.
This impacts on us all and makes our community less safe. ANPR is equipment now being fitted to a wide number of Police patrol vehicles.
It reads the Vehicle Registration Mark instantaneously when picked up by the in-car camera. Information is regularly downloaded to the system and can instantly alert officers to stolen motor vehicles.
The potential of this system is immense but is dependent on the ability of the system to read the Vehicle Registration Mark. The Police intend to enforce the law relating to this subject using VDR scheme, fixed penalty scheme and summons to Magistrates Court. In the case of cherished registration marks (personalised plates) misrepresenting the number can result in DVLA revoking your right to use the number.
Which is something worth considering if you have paid a lot for the number.
Street
.
I've been stopped twice for plate infringements.
Once about 12 years ago for my GPZ500s which had a stupidly tiny plate. I was stopped by a bike cop (thank god at least they're human
) - he said the plate was illegal and was it on the bike when I got it?
I actually owned up and said no I'd fitted it meself and I had the old plate at home and now that I'd been stopped I'd change it straight away. He warned me that he'd be keeping an eye out for te bike and if he saw it again with the small plate on he'd do me - ooh err matron.
The conversation was concluded with him saying he could see why I'd done it as this plate was actually narrower than the back tyre and did make the bike look a bit beefier. Bless him, can't argue with that and needless to say I had the last laugh, sorry I mean changed the plate as soon as I got home. Soon got used to having a brake parachute on the back again.
The one other time I've been stopped was for a plate covered in mud whilst working on the WRC in Wales.
Usual conversation along the lines of 'Do you know why I've stopped you?', 'Absolutely no idea officer', 'Well would you accompany me to the back of the vehicle as your number plate is unreadable'. 'Oh yes, so it is'. Cue wiping plate clean with bit of my jumper. 'Is that alright now?' 'Yes Sir', 'I'll be on my way then, sorry to have caused a problem officer'
Gotta love the Police sometimes.
best
Ex
>> Edited by TheExcession on Thursday 19th August 20:36
Once about 12 years ago for my GPZ500s which had a stupidly tiny plate. I was stopped by a bike cop (thank god at least they're human
) - he said the plate was illegal and was it on the bike when I got it? I actually owned up and said no I'd fitted it meself and I had the old plate at home and now that I'd been stopped I'd change it straight away. He warned me that he'd be keeping an eye out for te bike and if he saw it again with the small plate on he'd do me - ooh err matron.
The conversation was concluded with him saying he could see why I'd done it as this plate was actually narrower than the back tyre and did make the bike look a bit beefier. Bless him, can't argue with that and needless to say I had the last laugh, sorry I mean changed the plate as soon as I got home. Soon got used to having a brake parachute on the back again.
The one other time I've been stopped was for a plate covered in mud whilst working on the WRC in Wales.
Usual conversation along the lines of 'Do you know why I've stopped you?', 'Absolutely no idea officer', 'Well would you accompany me to the back of the vehicle as your number plate is unreadable'. 'Oh yes, so it is'. Cue wiping plate clean with bit of my jumper. 'Is that alright now?' 'Yes Sir', 'I'll be on my way then, sorry to have caused a problem officer'
Gotta love the Police sometimes.
best
Ex
>> Edited by TheExcession on Thursday 19th August 20:36
Streetcop said:Urban dictionery - excellent - forgotten all about that - my one claim to fame - well one of many
According to the urban dictionary..
Lilly
(n.) The cool and tough kid of the block.
Watch out for that Li. He's is out of our league.
Street
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pinstripe&r=s&pos=1
best
Ex
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