Eliminate Front License Plate in Texas

Secret handshakes involving the passing of dead presidents?

Seriously, I'd recommend taking some congressmen & senators out for drinks & hookers....followed by a large contribution to their re-election campaigns.

I'm pretty sure that is the proper standard procedure for getting something done.

 

We don't want no stinking front license plates.

 

How is it cost cutting when the plates cost you money?

This issues comes up every few years and then it gets dropped.

 

I'm sure they will be imbedding RFID chips before long (which could suck for us sprited drivers, and is a privacy issue as well, but could also solve more crimes) but vehicles on public roads still will need plates for visual id somewhere on cars, but a single plate should be enough.

 

LEO shoots radar off the front plate.....so, you are 'done"....

And TDCJ stamps them out, so those pea farmers work pretty cheap.

But it's LEO opinion that you won't get it passed......

 

Yep what Big Tex say's is true, but I was thinking of getting one of these and installing it with a motorized control.

http://www.scienceofspeed.com/products/exterior_performance_products/NSX/ScienceofSpeed/Stealth_License_Plate/

You get stopped and as the DPS leisurely makes his way to your window and says he's stopping you because you don't have a front license plate then you can remark "well it was there when I left". Then he walks to front and there it is!

John

 

MOst of the DPS officers I have occasion to 'chat' with, while polite and professional to the man, RARELY exhibit much of a sense of humor......

Especially after having to chase you down, for a few miles......

 

I have run my TransAm without one for years (1994) but in the current restoration we are going to drill the bumper skin and screw the mounting bracket on......

It's really 'not worth' the hassle......

 

Well, I'm not going to make them chase me. In fact, I'd appreciate if they wouldn't waste the gas, and maybe do something less "Income Intensive". Like protect & Serve, annoying as it is.

 

Well, typically it involves them 'noticing' from across a divided interstate, then barrelling across the grassy median and spinning a u-turn, then racing off to catch up to you......

Now, if I duck down some long driveway and coast to a stop, with my lights off....

THAT is making them 'chase me'......LOL!

 

They ran me down one night to point out my license plate lamps on the rear bumper......sure enough a lady had hit me and shocked them both out..

What can you do but thank them........that's 'detail oriented" right there!!

 

Doesn't get much more reckless and irresponsible that that kind of driving!! Imagine if a cop did something that dangerous............Oh, wait.

I've had one who pulled me over in the middle of TCU, and chastised me, telling me how he had had to drive at over 40 mph to catch me, along with how I had cut across and almost run someone out of a non-existent turn-lane, almost hit someone who ran a stop sign (the car in front of him), and then had to chase me down.....for all of 200 yards from a dead stop (he was behind the lovely turquoise Taurus that ran the sign, remember, but didn't notice her). All he remembered was "white Ferrari", must be going fast.
The simple physics of having to accelerate to 40 to catch someone who passed his starting point already traveling at about 25 just didn't register the first two times. I should have charged him for the lesson.

He thought he had a TCU punk in a "308" who wouldn't call him on every item, and call his superiors while he was standing there. Must be my boyishly youthful looks
No ticket, but a very sheepish apology.

 

What if I (a LEO) am in my unmarked car and have some fool closing on me fast (breaking the alotted speed limit which is easy too determine) and then tailgating? No front plates will not be passed anytime soon or ever will if I have a voice in the matter. A more simple solution would be if a car is meant to be delivered to a Texas dealership have the mounting point's installed by the factory or dealership of delivery.

There are alot of thing's in life we don't like but hey thats life, move on. Public roads/highway's are not the place to race thats why we have race track's and weekend event's for those who want to 'experience' the limit's of their cars.

Two way street not one way.

 

Gregg, this wasn't you, was it?

(I have both plates properly mounted on this car, BTW)

 

No not me but nice addition lol. I'm only trying too add that we all have our own opinion's and I have had cars that I did not want to drill mounting holes in for a front plate but the law is the law, one would think the manufactures would recognise that, right? I'm not saying I would give them a ticket for this non-safety issue as each stop merit's its own judgement call and how it will be handled.

Not coming down on my brotheren here for having a legitimate concern/issue so please do not take it as such yet us LEO's in Texas made an oath so it's a rather fickle call. Most likely I'll ask for a ride at a later time but then again we LEO's must be very cautious about what we say on a public forum.

So in closing disregarding your state vehicle codes/laws warrants atleast a lightbar and conversation, sorry everyone I'm not trying to be a......but the oath is taken very very seriously.

Best to all and I hope I was not too judgemental but we LEO's walk a fine line.

 

I grew up in Texas, worked there for several years a Police Officer in my early 20's, then moved to New Orleans where I have worked since. The relevance of which being that Louisiana does not issue or require a license plate be affixed to the front of a motor vehicle. Personally, with regard to traffic enforcement and safety, I can't recall any specific situation where the presence or absence of a front plate helped or hindered me in the performance of my duties, aside from PC to initiate a stop in the event I was curious about a specific vehicle or it's occupants. Now I can tell you that when I was a Detective assigned to Homicide and Persons Crimes there were several cases where a front plate was helpful in identifying perpetrator vehicle(s) which were captured on surveillance video and other several other cases where identification became a more difficult task due to the lack of one. That aside I can see no great benefit, but I never spent much time working traffic enforcement, let alone in the traffic division. No slight to the guys who did, just not my thing.

Depends, are we talking about an "unmarked" patrol vehicle or a personal vehicle outfitted with lights? Are you in or out of your jurisdiction (county/city)? In addition does conducting a vehicle stop in an unmarked vehicle conform to your department regulations? Some jurisdictions prohibit it due to problems with "blue light bandits" and others because there are several documented cases where persons arrested as a result of such stops and charged with flight, resisting, and even battery/assault of the officer were found not guilty. Their defense being they did not believe the vehicle or the officer initiating the stop were legitimate police officers.

So far as racing on public roads, I really don't see why anybody would think it is permissible, unless it takes place during an event where said roads are closed to the public for the purpose of a specific competition or event.

 

Just too summarize in a few words without a long story I uphold/enforce the laws of Texas not just my county, I'm never out of my jurisdiction within my state.

 

Yes and no, unless something has changed since I was TECLOSE certified (I left Texas in 1997) all commissioned and certified peace officers have state wide jurisdiction, with the exception of traffic offenses. Was this changed?
I would also have to assume that were an officer outside of his/her city/county and initiating traffic stops their employer would be a bit upset, not to mention the LEOS who work in the jurisdiction where they were playing “John McClain” for traffic violations.

 

ALOT has changed since you left but I want to extend my hand too you my bother, thank you. My academy director sit's on the board of TECLOSE with 3 Texas Rangers in his family so he instilled knowing the current changes which are hard to keep up with.

I uphold the laws of Texas and a simple radio of cellphone call suffices. What happen's afterward's is left too that jurisdiction but my oath to the state of Texas will never be in question.

Thanks for your reply and WOW are we OT or what lol!!!

 

Cell cops, cell cops
Whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do when they call on you?


Cell cops is filmed with the tax enforcement officers of your county . . .

 

Good, he taught you well! Take it from a guy who has been in this business 15 years and investigated a good number of cases stemming from an officer acting off-duty, it is only a good idea in cases where another persons life is in danger.

What academy did you attend? I think I remember reading it on here, but I'm not sure. So far as I remember the director of the academy at UH had a number of relatives that were Rangers and one was involved in the Bonnie and Clyde shoot out. I'm guessing we are talking about the same guy IIRC he worked as a Detective for Harris County then went to work for UH after he retired.

 

Personally, I think I have only called on a reckless driver once and he turned out to be drunk. When it comes to the average guy speeding I could often care less. I'm not a big traffic enforcement type at work, let alone off duty. The only way I care is when the guy driving like an idiot does something that results the roadway being closed so emergency services can be directed to the scene of his self created accident. Presuming other law abiding motorists are not involved, I would prefer they just move the car of said idiot to the side of the road and not impact my drive time to save his arse. I really have no problem with speeding, but I hate to wait in traffic due to others stupidity and carelessness.

 

You are correct on all account's, Mr.Rex White is the director. When I first moved too Marlin I went too the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and took pic's of his family heritage, very inspiring too say the least. Anyway anyone who is not or has not been a LEO cannot understand our mindset, thats what makes us different. The few true friend's I have love me but they also respect me and my career choice.

Now BOT. If you pass me (because I KNOW I'm doing the speed limit) give me/us a minute to introduce oursleves and see whats up. Everytime a LEO pull's you over does not mean you will have a court date. Anyway I firmly believe that front plates are necessary especially if the state you live in requires them.

Best too all from 'ol tex and please drive safe (ie thinking about your fellow motorist),
Gregg

 

I thought they shoot at the plate because its aluminum or metal so it reflects nicely. couldn't there be a case made that cars with aluminum bodies could leave them off?