Maine State Front License Plate Removal

To:  Maine State Legislature

We, The Undersigned, petition the State of Maine to change Title 29-A; Chapter 5; Subchapter 1; Article 3, the current law requiring the display of a front license plate on passenger vehicles. Subarticle 1 reads as follows: “A registration plate must be displayed horizontally. Only one set of Maine registration plates may be displayed on one vehicle. A registration plate must be attached to the front and the rear of each vehicle except as follows…” We only request that the law reflect that a front license plate is not required.

This law has been stagnet for 15 years and there are a number of reasons and benefits for the Maine State Legislature to revisit this policy. They are outlined below.

The State of Maine will save money by producing half the amount of license plates. This money could be channeled to other needs such as road improvements or labor costs.

By producing half the amount of license plates the State of Maine will be producing less waste. License plates are not recyclable and are difficult to dispose of properly. As we move toward using fewer natural resources, a minor change in this law will make a large difference in both waste and an impact on the environment.

Front license plates and the accompanying frames, screws and bolts may cause extra damage to other vehicles even in the most minor of collisions. Additional collision damage results in higher insurance costs. By removing the requirement for front license plates Maine State citizens would benefit by the possibility of lower damage in collisions.

Today many cars are constructed without mounting hardware for a front license plate. Maine State citizens who own such vehicles are required to either purchase mounting hardware, if available, or drill or otherwise modify the front bumper of their vehicles to come into compliance. This not only costs the Maine State consumers more money but can also lower the value of their vehicles, especially in regards to selling to other states that do not require front license plates.

Vertical surfaces on the front of moving vehicles reduce the vehicles’ ability to cool the engine and other parts. Radiators, oil coolers, intercoolers and air conditioning units are all affected negatively by front license plates restricting the air flow through the front of vehicles. By reducing the effectiveness of the engine and other parts the engine and other parts work less efficiently. This restricted air flow also inhibits the air intake ability of many vehicles. Inhibited air flow in a vehicle’s intake and a less efficient engine and other parts lead to lower fuel efficiency and therefore lower fuel economy. Like with wind resistance and drag, the individual effect may small but the statewide effect would be great. Again, greater fuel economy leads to less air pollution and a cleaner environment.

Some people might suggest that the lack of front license plates would make it more difficult for law enforcement officers to identify suspect vehicles. However the time available for viewing the front of a moving vehicle is extremely short. This is made the more difficult at night when vehicles have their headlights on. It is the rear of vehicles that can be easily viewed for longer periods especially when a suspect vehicle is being pursued.
Motorcycles in the state of Maine already do not require a front license plate. There have been no serious issues arising from the lack of front license plates on motorcycles. There should likewise not be any for other vehicles.

Law enforcement officers may actually find themselves with a little more time with the removal of the front license plate requirement. Less time will be spent on violators with no front license plate. This would leave more time to pursue more pressing issues such as reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

We, The Undersigned and general public of the State of Maine request that the officials who make the law, abolish the legal requirement of a front license plate on vehicles. Rare is the instance indeed when a lawmaker has the opportunity to make a change that not only improves the environment but saves money for the state and its citizens. Please take this issue seriously as it does have many benefits to the environment, the state and its citizens. We urge you to join the many other states that do not require a front license plate.

We wish to emphasize that we thank and support the local law enforcement officers and law making officials in the State of Maine in their efforts to make this state a better place to live. We hope that they will continue to make choices that positively affect the environment, the state and its citizens.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Maine State Front License Plate Removal Petition to Maine State Legislature was created by and written by John-Paul Gagne (Ares0311@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.