Blitz on illegal number plates
 |
| Inspector Chris Charlton |
POLICE in North Yorkshire are taking part in a nationwide crackdown on illegal number plates this week.
The operation, which forms part of the force's ongoing road safety operation, Operation Helical 2, is in response to growing concerns about the increasing number of motorists using unlawful registration plates in a bid to out fox road-side cameras.
The operation, which starts today and will continue for seven days, aims to stop criminals who are believed to be using the illegal registration plates to avoid being caught by police.
Registration lettering and spacing must comply with regulations which specify the typeface, size, colour and British Standard for plates.
It is an offence to alter or re-arrange letters or numbers in a way that makes the plate difficult to read.
Inspector Chris Charlton, head of the roads policing unit at North Yorkshire Police, said: "A vehicle is often an integral part of a criminal's toolkit and often the registration plate will be tampered with in an attempt to avoid detection.
"Illegal alterations range from changes to plate layout, use of non-standard fonts, the use of tape, screws and other objects to obscure plates to more sophisticated methods such as stolen or cloned number plates.
"This operation aims to crack down on travelling criminals, denying them the use of the roads, as well as providing a more detailed picture of the link between this type of offence and broader criminal activity."
The law states that motorists must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers, and characters must not be moved from one group to the other - for example, A242 ABC must not be displayed as A242A BC.
Offences may result in a fine of up to £1,000, the registration mark being withdrawn without compensation and the offending vehicle failing its MOT test.
Number plates must also be replaced if they have been customised with stylised letters or figures such as italics, or number plate fixing bolts that alter the appearance of the characters.
Police believe criminals are using this technique to stop their vehicles from being picked up by speed cameras or their effective Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system.
The Press reported last week how police in the county are extending the ANPR scheme after it lead to the arrest of 205 people arrested and more than £1.25million worth of property seized in one year. Work has begun on a £150,000 scheme to implement three new fixed sites, in addition to the four existing ones.
Results for operation Helical so far include:
* 5,046 vehicles have been stopped by police
* 825 fixed penalty tickets have been handed out for speeding
* 120 summons issued for speeding of which 33 were fast-tracked to court
* 616 warnings issued for excessive speed
* 288 fixed penalty tickets issued for seatbelt offences
10:38am Monday 28th January 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: A user, Selby on 10:45am Mon 28 Jan 08
Just impound the cars on the spot! It is 'generaly' the boy/gil racers who pimp their cars/stereos up who are going to be caught in this operation. So, impound the car, charge them storage and only release the car when the correct fine & number plates are handed over. I'd also get them to bring their insurance & MOT. Rant over - had a bad start to my day which did not include the police - but my thought would have been the same!
Just impound the cars on the spot! It is 'generaly' the boy/gil racers who pimp their cars/stereos up who are going to be caught in this operation. So, impound the car, charge them storage and only release the car when the correct fine & number plates are handed over. I'd also get them to bring their insurance & MOT. Rant over - had a bad start to my day which did not include the police - but my thought would have been the same!
Posted by: Greg, York on 10:48am Mon 28 Jan 08
I have seen the Blues about in there vans and there are alot of illegal number plated cars which I see.
Some are very OTT as most people say and some are ok, but they are mainly cracking down on them so that their speed cameras can identify speeding motorists so they can get a fine. Which is good and bad I guess.
I have seen the Blues about in there vans and there are alot of illegal number plated cars which I see.
Some are very OTT as most people say and some are ok, but they are mainly cracking down on them so that their speed cameras can identify speeding motorists so they can get a fine. Which is good and bad I guess.
Posted by: oli4uk, York on 10:52am Mon 28 Jan 08
The police are doign a good job on this and yet nothing has been heard from either the coppers or the press about the smashing of windows that occured to pretty much every car on lower priory street last night.
My flatmate got off easy with a mirror knocked near off.
Good Job.
But please start chasing the chav scrote vandals and get them to pay for teh thousands of pounds worth of damage caused last night.
The police are doign a good job on this and yet nothing has been heard from either the coppers or the press about the smashing of windows that occured to pretty much every car on lower priory street last night.
My flatmate got off easy with a mirror knocked near off.
Good Job.
But please start chasing the chav scrote vandals and get them to pay for teh thousands of pounds worth of damage caused last night.
Posted by: akuma, York on 10:54am Mon 28 Jan 08
I promised myself a no comment day today, but I cant help myself on this one.
To be honest its more Audi TT's, BMW's and other posers cars that have the illegal number plates.
The younger crowd have a hard enough time not being pulled over without attrating more attention to themselves by having daft plates.
As I said the other week, I was sat behind a T5 police cruiser, in front of that was a TT that had clearly illegal plates on.
I had a quick chuckle to myself thinking "he's screwed" but nothing happened, the coppers in the T5 weren't bothered.
I hope they are objective with this PR stunt and get everyone and not just younger people in less expensive cars.
I promised myself a no comment day today, but I cant help myself on this one.
To be honest its more Audi TT's, BMW's and other posers cars that have the illegal number plates.
The younger crowd have a hard enough time not being pulled over without attrating more attention to themselves by having daft plates.
As I said the other week, I was sat behind a T5 police cruiser, in front of that was a TT that had clearly illegal plates on.
I had a quick chuckle to myself thinking "he's screwed" but nothing happened, the coppers in the T5 weren't bothered.
I hope they are objective with this PR stunt and get everyone and not just younger people in less expensive cars.
Posted by: A user, Selby on 11:12am Mon 28 Jan 08
Agree with Akuma and oli4uk's points. It's about time yobs who cause damage paid for the repairs. If they can't pay either send em to boot camp or lock them up for an initial period of 28 days. If they don't pay within the next 3 months, give the little beggars 6 months. It's time this soft government stopped giving up at the liberty brigades feet all the time. Has anyone seen the Charles Bronson film - Death Wish? Fantastic film and his character is the way things are going to go if stronger punishments are not dished3out.
Agree with Akuma and oli4uk's points. It's about time yobs who cause damage paid for the repairs. If they can't pay either send em to boot camp or lock them up for an initial period of 28 days. If they don't pay within the next 3 months, give the little beggars 6 months. It's time this soft government stopped giving up at the liberty brigades feet all the time. Has anyone seen the Charles Bronson film - Death Wish? Fantastic film and his character is the way things are going to go if stronger punishments are not dished3out.
Posted by: X, At Work on 11:29am Mon 28 Jan 08
Why even risk having a plate that isn't right.
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
When a police car is following you they cannot tell the difference.
I agree with Akuma that it is mainly the posers that alter the plates, not boy racers.
Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
Why even risk having a plate that isn't right.
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
When a police car is following you they cannot tell the difference.
I agree with Akuma that it is mainly the posers that alter the plates, not boy racers.
Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
Posted by: LEAM DAVE, leamington spa on 11:43am Mon 28 Jan 08
I will be surprised if they can read the plates, every other car on the road these days have them covered in mud.
I will be surprised if they can read the plates, every other car on the road these days have them covered in mud.
Posted by: root-two, York on 11:43am Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote]Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.[/quote]
He's probably driving a car without a valid MOT then since even if the typeface of the plate is correct, incorrect spacing is a failure - in fact, according to the MOT guidelines, any number place which has the potential to be mis-read can be failed at the tester's discretion.
Wonder if the plod will be following up with the DVLA ...
Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
He's probably driving a car without a valid MOT then since even if the typeface of the plate is correct, incorrect spacing is a failure - in fact, according to the MOT guidelines, any number place which has the potential to be mis-read can be failed at the tester's discretion.
Wonder if the plod will be following up with the DVLA ...
Posted by: peter k, york on 11:44am Mon 28 Jan 08
I get stopped by the police in york on a frequent basis just for my number plate being slightly smaller.
(please note it is still very easy to read clearly and not italic etc)
The reason for this is that it is an imported car and doesnt have the space given for a UK size plate to be fitted to the front as are many others in the area.
However [bold]EVERY[/bold] time i get stopped i explain that it [bold]IS[/bold] a legal number plate and have to stand there for 10 mins arguing that point.
They should ACTUALLY KNOW the law if they are trying to enforce it. The last guy had me there for almost 30 mins before calling it in and getting the current LAW's explained to him.
Once he had been told that he was wrong he soon changed his tone, but offered no apology for stopping me for so long etc and his mistake.
Just told me to get lost instead.
TO ANYONE WITH AN IMPORT CAR LIKE MINE PLEASE PAY SPECIAL NOTE TO THE FOLLOWING DVLA SITE: http://www.dvla.gov.
uk/media/pdf/leaflet
s/displayofnumberpla
tes.pdf
get a copy printed off and highlight the imported vehicles section and keep it in your car as they will try to fine you for having a legal number plate.
I havent met a policeman in york yet that actually know the laws on this :(
http://www.dvla.gov.
uk/media/pdf/leaflet
s/displayofnumberpla
tes.pdf
I get stopped by the police in york on a frequent basis just for my number plate being slightly smaller.
(please note it is still very easy to read clearly and not italic etc)
The reason for this is that it is an imported car and doesnt have the space given for a UK size plate to be fitted to the front as are many others in the area.
However
EVERY time i get stopped i explain that it
IS a legal number plate and have to stand there for 10 mins arguing that point.
They should ACTUALLY KNOW the law if they are trying to enforce it. The last guy had me there for almost 30 mins before calling it in and getting the current LAW's explained to him.
Once he had been told that he was wrong he soon changed his tone, but offered no apology for stopping me for so long etc and his mistake.
Just told me to get lost instead.
TO ANYONE WITH AN IMPORT CAR LIKE MINE PLEASE PAY SPECIAL NOTE TO THE FOLLOWING DVLA SITE: http://www.dvla.gov.
uk/media/pdf/leaflet
s/displayofnumberpla
tes.pdf
get a copy printed off and highlight the imported vehicles section and keep it in your car as they will try to fine you for having a legal number plate.
I havent met a policeman in york yet that actually know the laws on this :(
http://www.dvla.gov.
uk/media/pdf/leaflet
s/displayofnumberpla
tes.pdf
Posted by: Jo, York on 11:48am Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote]You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.[/quote]
I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true.
They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true.
They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
Posted by: akuma, York on 11:53am Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Jo[/bold] wrote:
[quote]You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.[/quote] I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true. They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked. [/quote] Mythbusters tried coating the plates with househgold items, not specaily designed plates.
Its very true, although with the increase in poilce vechiles with ANPR they are getting caught more often as the ANPR cant read them either.
As seen of Tuesday's Road Wars.
Jo wrote:
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true. They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
Mythbusters tried coating the plates with househgold items, not specaily designed plates.
Its very true, although with the increase in poilce vechiles with ANPR they are getting caught more often as the ANPR cant read them either.
As seen of Tuesday's Road Wars.
Posted by: X, At Work on 11:53am Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Jo[/bold] wrote:
[quote]You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.[/quote] I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true. They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked. [/quote] Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.
I Find TOM TOM tells me where the speed camera's are so if i were speeding i could slow down.
Jo wrote:
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true. They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.
I Find TOM TOM tells me where the speed camera's are so if i were speeding i could slow down.
Posted by: akuma, York on 11:55am Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote]Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.[/quote]
See above comment.
They do work.
Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.
See above comment.
They do work.
Posted by: X, At Work on 12:03pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]akuma[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.[/quote] See above comment. They do work.[/quote] we got our posts crossed in cyberspace
LOL
akuma wrote:
Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.
See above comment. They do work.
we got our posts crossed in cyberspace
LOL
Posted by: Jo, York on 12:03pm Mon 28 Jan 08
They didn't use household items, they ordered stuff advertised as being able to evade cameras, including special sprays and even some special glass.
I don't see how you could buy a plate which would pass a visual inspection from a policeman but evade an ANPR camera.
They didn't use household items, they ordered stuff advertised as being able to evade cameras, including special sprays and even some special glass.
I don't see how you could buy a plate which would pass a visual inspection from a policeman but evade an ANPR camera.
Posted by: akuma, York on 12:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote]I don't see how you could buy a plate which would pass a visual inspection from a policeman but evade an ANPR camera.[/quote]
Watch the rerun of last tuesdays Road Wars on Sky One, they are following a Golf GTI and they reason they pull it is because the ANPR cannot read the plate.
When they look at it with there own eyes all seems fine, but on camera, both ANPR and the film crews camera the number plate is blurred beyond recognition.
And that was film in late 2007, so they are real.
Lee Boardman said the driver was later fined £500 for his trouble.
Someone else must have seen it too?
I don't see how you could buy a plate which would pass a visual inspection from a policeman but evade an ANPR camera.
Watch the rerun of last tuesdays Road Wars on Sky One, they are following a Golf GTI and they reason they pull it is because the ANPR cannot read the plate.
When they look at it with there own eyes all seems fine, but on camera, both ANPR and the film crews camera the number plate is blurred beyond recognition.
And that was film in late 2007, so they are real.
Lee Boardman said the driver was later fined £500 for his trouble.
Someone else must have seen it too?
Posted by: Mike, York on 12:25pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I wonder if thus crackdown includes drivers who have mud sprayed all over there number plates. With the recent bad weather the number of cars I have seen with completely unreadable number plates is staggering.
I wonder if thus crackdown includes drivers who have mud sprayed all over there number plates. With the recent bad weather the number of cars I have seen with completely unreadable number plates is staggering.
Posted by: TE, York on 12:31pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Have you seen the sad TW@T with the BMW reg
K9 SFX, he places a statigic black bolt and it is Doggy Sex, I bet his wife drives that car - NOT.
Have you seen the sad TW@T with the BMW reg
K9 SFX, he places a statigic black bolt and it is Doggy Sex, I bet his wife drives that car - NOT.
Posted by: Yorkiebear, York on 12:58pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Non-car driver here.
Why bring more attention to yourself when this gives the police an excuse to stop.
Also why do young male drivers who like playing there 'thump thump' music loudly (usually the same rhythm as another activity they indulge in) which attracts attention to their driving, and possibly their drinking especially late at night.
Non-car driver here.
Why bring more attention to yourself when this gives the police an excuse to stop.
Also why do young male drivers who like playing there 'thump thump' music loudly (usually the same rhythm as another activity they indulge in) which attracts attention to their driving, and possibly their drinking especially late at night.
Posted by: Voice of reason, York on 1:01pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote]BMW driving round with OPT1C[/quote]
That plate has been in York for many years. If it were illegal, I would hope the coppers would have had him by now.
I'm guessing they're possibly a show-off member of the LVA.
BMW driving round with OPT1C
That plate has been in York for many years. If it were illegal, I would hope the coppers would have had him by now.
I'm guessing they're possibly a show-off member of the LVA.
Posted by: A user, Selby on 1:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Just impound the cars on the spot! It is 'generaly' the boy/gil racers who pimp their cars/stereos up who are going to be caught in this operation. So, impound the car, charge them storage and only release the car when the correct fine & number plates are handed over. I'd also get them to bring their insurance & MOT. Rant over - had a bad start to my day which did not include the police - but my thought would have been the same!
Just impound the cars on the spot! It is 'generaly' the boy/gil racers who pimp their cars/stereos up who are going to be caught in this operation. So, impound the car, charge them storage and only release the car when the correct fine & number plates are handed over. I'd also get them to bring their insurance & MOT. Rant over - had a bad start to my day which did not include the police - but my thought would have been the same!
Posted by: Bemused, York on 1:29pm Mon 28 Jan 08
It shouldn't need a blitz, it's just day to day policing to keep on top of offences like this.
It shouldn't need a blitz, it's just day to day policing to keep on top of offences like this.
Posted by: Spunkies, The Mighty Nose on 1:29pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Voice of reason[/bold] wrote:
[quote]BMW driving round with OPT1C[/quote] That plate has been in York for many years. If it were illegal, I would hope the coppers would have had him by now. I'm guessing they're possibly a show-off member of the LVA.[/quote] He is a ****. I know him. Hope he gets done.
Voice of reason wrote:
BMW driving round with OPT1C
That plate has been in York for many years. If it were illegal, I would hope the coppers would have had him by now. I'm guessing they're possibly a show-off member of the LVA.
He is a ****. I know him. Hope he gets done.
Posted by: Mike C, york on 1:44pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?
Posted by: Jo, York on 2:17pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Thanks, I'll check the programme out, sounds interesting.
I'd love a small cash incentive, say £2 per plate. Might be able to put my new camera to some use!
Thanks, I'll check the programme out, sounds interesting.
I'd love a small cash incentive, say £2 per plate. Might be able to put my new camera to some use!
Posted by: Diogenes, Here and there on 2:23pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Illegal number plates.
Am I missing something here?
ILLEGAL means failing the law, and any vehicle sporting such marks should be stopped and the drivers suitable punished.
Wishful thinking I know!
The great North Yorkshire police turn a blind eye to law breakers.
There is a saying, Ignore small offences, and they will turn into large offences!
Just think on it P.C.
Illegal number plates.
Am I missing something here?
ILLEGAL means failing the law, and any vehicle sporting such marks should be stopped and the drivers suitable punished.
Wishful thinking I know!
The great North Yorkshire police turn a blind eye to law breakers.
There is a saying, Ignore small offences, and they will turn into large offences!
Just think on it P.C.
Posted by: Bemused, York on 2:43pm Mon 28 Jan 08
One of the ways of measuring to what extent the traffic police are doing their job is the number of illegal number plates you see. Others are the number of vehicles with maladjusted lights, and HGVs festooned with illegal ones.
It's not just North Yorkshire who are failing, you can travel from John O'Groats to Lands Ends and not see a police traffic car.
One of the ways of measuring to what extent the traffic police are doing their job is the number of illegal number plates you see. Others are the number of vehicles with maladjusted lights, and HGVs festooned with illegal ones.
It's not just North Yorkshire who are failing, you can travel from John O'Groats to Lands Ends and not see a police traffic car.
Posted by: akuma, York on 2:47pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Does anyone esle think Merc headlights on models made after 2002 are border line illegal???
When I have one behind me at night, I am completely blinded they are that bright.
Does anyone esle think Merc headlights on models made after 2002 are border line illegal???
When I have one behind me at night, I am completely blinded they are that bright.
Posted by: Captain Jack Sparrow, Strensall on 3:19pm Mon 28 Jan 08
The easiest way to solve this problem is the threat of an instant year ban if you are caught with these numberplates. They'd disappear overnight freeing the police up to deal with 'real' crime.
The easiest way to solve this problem is the threat of an instant year ban if you are caught with these numberplates. They'd disappear overnight freeing the police up to deal with 'real' crime.
Posted by: SilverSurfer, Surfing on 3:19pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I can't see a problem with having a plate like the OPT1C one - surely it makes them easier to remember if you see them breaking the law. I think paul O'Grady had one a few years ago which was L1LY S. We also have to remember that a government agency is making vast sums selling these plates!
I can't see a problem with having a plate like the OPT1C one - surely it makes them easier to remember if you see them breaking the law. I think paul O'Grady had one a few years ago which was L1LY S. We also have to remember that a government agency is making vast sums selling these plates!
Posted by: akuma, York on 3:29pm Mon 28 Jan 08
We'll see what happens, no doubt the press will advertise the results.
I bet I still see BMW's, Merc's and Audi's getting away with it though.
We'll see what happens, no doubt the press will advertise the results.
I bet I still see BMW's, Merc's and Audi's getting away with it though.
Posted by: ouserower, york on 4:33pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I'm sorry but this is a totally pointless exercise. This work should be carried out on a daily basis not a special drive.
I'm sorry but this is a totally pointless exercise. This work should be carried out on a daily basis not a special drive.
Posted by: Sabado Y Domingo, The Moon on 6:59pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]X[/bold] wrote:
Why even risk having a plate that isn't right. You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank. When a police car is following you they cannot tell the difference. I agree with Akuma that it is mainly the posers that alter the plates, not boy racers. Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.[/quote] It's friend of mine who owns that reg' if you LOOK closely you can SEE it's OK.
X wrote:
Why even risk having a plate that isn't right. You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank. When a police car is following you they cannot tell the difference. I agree with Akuma that it is mainly the posers that alter the plates, not boy racers. Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
It's friend of mine who owns that reg' if you LOOK closely you can SEE it's OK.
Posted by: Gardener, York on 7:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Apparently if the backing and numbers are cut from Scotchlite it reflects camera flash but otherwise appears normal. MOT stations don't fail cars with illegal spacing so perhaps they should be prosecuted and shut down too? I'd report police cars driving behind illegal plated cars if they don't stop to the police complaints body as it obvious there's some backhanding going on!hem
Apparently if the backing and numbers are cut from Scotchlite it reflects camera flash but otherwise appears normal. MOT stations don't fail cars with illegal spacing so perhaps they should be prosecuted and shut down too? I'd report police cars driving behind illegal plated cars if they don't stop to the police complaints body as it obvious there's some backhanding going on!hem
Posted by: viper on 7:23pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Why stop with number plates - what's with the the pigging cars - and now nearly every other truck on the road that has colored front lights, and stupid blue/red LEDs around the grills etc. totally illegal.
As said this should be done all the time, not just a blitz.
Usually people who do this "little crimes" are also breaking the laws in much more serious ways too.
Why stop with number plates - what's with the the pigging cars - and now nearly every other truck on the road that has colored front lights, and stupid blue/red LEDs around the grills etc. totally illegal.
As said this should be done all the time, not just a blitz.
Usually people who do this "little crimes" are also breaking the laws in much more serious ways too.
Posted by: puffingbilly, York on 8:27pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]akuma[/bold] wrote:
Does anyone esle think Merc headlights on models made after 2002 are border line illegal??? When I have one behind me at night, I am completely blinded they are that bright. [/quote] Xenon my friend, pure light, self levelling and must be fitted with headlamp wash device
http://uk.youtube.co
m/watch?v=GDKZSgW7FI
4
akuma wrote:
Does anyone esle think Merc headlights on models made after 2002 are border line illegal??? When I have one behind me at night, I am completely blinded they are that bright.
Xenon my friend, pure light, self levelling and must be fitted with headlamp wash device
http://uk.youtube.co
m/watch?v=GDKZSgW7FI
4
Posted by: KarenWhite1978, Heslington on 8:57pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Excellent news, about time too.
A few years ago I saw a car with the same reg as mine - or so it seemed. A closer inspection showed an oversized screw making a narrow 0 look like an 8 from a distance. I reported it to a passing policeman (a rare sight I know) and a few weeks later received a letter telling me that the driver has been prosecuted and fined, and assured me that the number plate had been changed.
My car's a TT by the way. Two TTs are TTs, not TT's or Audi's.
Excellent news, about time too.
A few years ago I saw a car with the same reg as mine - or so it seemed. A closer inspection showed an oversized screw making a narrow 0 look like an 8 from a distance. I reported it to a passing policeman (a rare sight I know) and a few weeks later received a letter telling me that the driver has been prosecuted and fined, and assured me that the number plate had been changed.
My car's a TT by the way. Two TTs are TTs, not TT's or Audi's.
Posted by: yian, Pickering on 10:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Mike C[/bold] wrote:
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?[/quote] Great idea. I see at least three or four mis-spaced plates each time I drive to work.
I sent an email to DVLA and the jist of their reply was "Yeah, it's terrible isn't it".
DVLA have a conflict of interest as they make money selling plates that invite being mis-spaced.
I can't understand why people feel the need to mess around with number plates. If you want to express your individuality then by all means dye your hair pink and walk round the city walls dressed in day-glo tartan.
I would like to see number plates included in the MOT test, they currently are not.
I would also like to see some high profile plates being taken off people. People don't realise they don't own the registration number, they just own the right to use it.
But of course DVLA will lose sales if they clamp down too hard.
The UK is the only country I am aware of where mis-spaced number plates are a problem. I've been to the USA, most of Europe and even the United Arab Emirates and you just don't see it.
Mike C wrote:
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?
Great idea. I see at least three or four mis-spaced plates each time I drive to work.
I sent an email to DVLA and the jist of their reply was "Yeah, it's terrible isn't it".
DVLA have a conflict of interest as they make money selling plates that invite being mis-spaced.
I can't understand why people feel the need to mess around with number plates. If you want to express your individuality then by all means dye your hair pink and walk round the city walls dressed in day-glo tartan.
I would like to see number plates included in the MOT test, they currently are not.
I would also like to see some high profile plates being taken off people. People don't realise they don't own the registration number, they just own the right to use it.
But of course DVLA will lose sales if they clamp down too hard.
The UK is the only country I am aware of where mis-spaced number plates are a problem. I've been to the USA, most of Europe and even the United Arab Emirates and you just don't see it.
Posted by: yian, Pickering on 10:11pm Mon 28 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Mike C[/bold] wrote:
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?[/quote] Great idea. I see at least three or four mis-spaced plates each time I drive to work.
I sent an email to DVLA and the jist of their reply was "Yeah, it's terrible isn't it".
DVLA have a conflict of interest as they make money selling plates that invite being mis-spaced.
I can't understand why people feel the need to mess around with number plates. If you want to express your individuality then by all means dye your hair pink and walk round the city walls dressed in day-glo tartan.
I would like to see number plates included in the MOT test, they currently are not.
I would also like to see some high profile plates being taken off people. People don't realise they don't own the registration number, they just own the right to use it.
But of course DVLA will lose sales if they clamp down too hard.
The UK is the only country I am aware of where mis-spaced number plates are a problem. I've been to the USA, most of Europe and even the United Arab Emirates and you just don't see it.
Mike C wrote:
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?
Great idea. I see at least three or four mis-spaced plates each time I drive to work.
I sent an email to DVLA and the jist of their reply was "Yeah, it's terrible isn't it".
DVLA have a conflict of interest as they make money selling plates that invite being mis-spaced.
I can't understand why people feel the need to mess around with number plates. If you want to express your individuality then by all means dye your hair pink and walk round the city walls dressed in day-glo tartan.
I would like to see number plates included in the MOT test, they currently are not.
I would also like to see some high profile plates being taken off people. People don't realise they don't own the registration number, they just own the right to use it.
But of course DVLA will lose sales if they clamp down too hard.
The UK is the only country I am aware of where mis-spaced number plates are a problem. I've been to the USA, most of Europe and even the United Arab Emirates and you just don't see it.
Posted by: Tubbs, York on 10:55pm Mon 28 Jan 08
thats it go after the car driver again, the soft option, why don't the police try doing some real work, like the kind that brings real criminals to justice, oh what am i talking about thats too hard for them as it involves using thier brains,
oh and before you start no i don't have an illegal number plate, it just ticks me off that they have time to sit at the side of roads with thier poxy camera's but when you ring them because a crime has been commited they don't have anyone available
thats it go after the car driver again, the soft option, why don't the police try doing some real work, like the kind that brings real criminals to justice, oh what am i talking about thats too hard for them as it involves using thier brains,
oh and before you start no i don't have an illegal number plate, it just ticks me off that they have time to sit at the side of roads with thier poxy camera's but when you ring them because a crime has been commited they don't have anyone available
Posted by: idlehousewife, York on 11:13am Tue 29 Jan 08
People who have personalised number plates are sad and they are even sadder if they alter them to make some pathetic phrase! The whole issue of personalised plates suggests their owners have little else in their lives!
People who have personalised number plates are sad and they are even sadder if they alter them to make some pathetic phrase! The whole issue of personalised plates suggests their owners have little else in their lives!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
Play video
