Today we are going to talk about an issue related to license plates, and how the state of Florida is applying a stricter law to prevent drivers hiding them. License plates are essential for authorities, because this is the way they can identify vehicles and keep road safe. However, many people have been looking for a way to hide them or change them, which can cause serious issues for public safety. So, let’s learn more about Florida’s new law.
Why hide a license plate?
Hiding a license plate means making it difficult to see it, and how do people do this? There are some ways:
- Hiding it on purpose: this happens when someone doesn’t want their license plate to be seen, and they use things such as reflective materials, plastic covers, special sprays or devices that distort the plate. The goal is to make the plate unreadable to the cameras or people.
- Hiding it by accident: sometime people hide the plate without even noticing it because it has dirt or mud, a bike rack, or other objects blocking it. In this case it’s not done on purpose, but it’s still a problem because officers can’t either see the plate.
Why is this so dangerous?
Hiding a license plate (on purpose or not) is dangerous because officers can’t identify the vehicle, therefore, drivers who speed or behave dangerously on the road can’t be caught and people who flee crime scenes can escape more easily. Basically, criminal activity may go unpunished.
Important changes in Florida
In Florida, hiding a license plate was just a small traffic infraction. However, this changed with the new law called House Bill 253, which was applied on October 1. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, this new law makes covering or altering a plate a criminal offense, not just a ticket. This means that what once cost a simple fine can now lead to someone getting arrested.
So, anyone who alters, obscures a plate, sells or uses devices that hide plates can now be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor. To better understand this, this type of crime is in the same category as petty theft, trespassing, or minor harassment. A person could now spend up to 60 days in jail simply for using a device that hides their license plate.
Tougher penalties for more serious cases
Okay, now let’s have a look at some examples of what would happen in more serious situations:
- Buying or possessing a license plate–hiding device
→ Second-degree misdemeanor
→ Up to 60 days in jail
- Manufacturing a plate-hiding device
→ Can result in one year in jail
- Hiding a plate while fleeing a crime
→ Becomes a third-degree felony
→ Up to 5 years in prison
This means that a minor act—like using a device to cover a plate—can now lead to many years in prison if the person is also trying to escape a crime scene.
Other changes included in the House Bill 253
Apart from license plates, this law also reinforces penalties for those who use unauthorized lights on their vehicles. This includes red, blue, and red and white lights. These lights are used by some people to pretend they are police officers, which is extremely dangerous.
Now, using these lights illegally is also a third-degree felony, which also carries up to 5 years in prison.
To sum up
Everything in this law is designed to protect Florida residents, ensure that criminals cannot escape responsibility, and make roadways safer for everyone. This law shows Florida’s commitment to preventing dangerous behavior and keeping the public safe. Do you think this law is a positive idea to prevent these felonies?