Florida drivers will want to be aware of a new law that will result in high fines if they have certain accessories blocking the license plate on their car.
It's important for police to have a clear view of a person's license plate, which allows them to identify the car's owner, any past infractions or if it was reported stolen. It can also be beneficial in emergency situations, like car accidents.
That's why Florida passed the new law, which took affect in October. It comes after the state passed a law cracking down on "super speeders," offering stiffer penalties for frequent offenders.
The new law prohibits drivers from using any car detailing that could limit license plate visibility for police. That includes frames, covers and even shields that are used to protect the plate from getting damaged, FOX 13 reported.
"We want to make sure that an officer, trooper, a deputy can read the plate," FHP Trooper Kenn Watson said. "Most certainly, if something happened to you, you would want us to be able to identify you quickly and efficiently, making sure that your emergency contact is correct, making sure that all of the intel that we have is proper.
"And the one way to do that, making sure that license plate is perfectly clean."
Watson noted that the law bans anything that does not normally belong on a license plate. That includes stickers for favorite sports teams.
He also said some frames have become bigger over the years, making it difficult for police to read the plates.
One driver was unaware of the new rule. Diane Bunsfield told FOX 13 that she has a frame that she will have to remove from her car.
"I'm just going across the East Coast and go on a small trip. But I now know that when I get there, I will have to take it off," she said.
Some residents said the state troopers should have more pressing issues.
Jim Hardesty of Fort Myers said, "To have the state troopers spend their time with looking at license plate covers when there's so much else goin on out there, then I think it's king of silly."
Violators of the new law could be fined up to $500. Some could even face jail time if they purposely obscure a license plate for the purpose of committing a crime.
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