On the Plate

Many readers wrote to support the idea of reporting to a state hotline the license plate numbers of aggressive drivers. (I mentioned the Colorado practice in a recent column - it leads to the aggressor receiving an official “someone saw you driving like a fool” letter.) Although all acknowledged this practice has no teeth, if receiving a letter causes even one bully to ease up, it accomplishes something. So if you want this in your state, demand it. One insightful reader had a related thought worth sharing: “I like the idea of a hotline …but there’s a problem: It’s nearly impossible to get the plate number of a car while driving. The plates are small, many states use colors with poor contrast and add illustrations that make it even harder. Also, many drivers have frames that cover part of the plate. Tailgating is the only way to get a good look at a plate - a poor idea any time, but especially when it’s on a car being driven aggressively. I liked the plates when I was stationed in Germany: big black numbers on white background, no pictures.” I must agree with every point this gentleman made. Some plates are so fou-foued up with scenes and Easter egg colors (Alabama, Mississippi and Wyoming are worst) even the constabulary complain the tags interfere with their work. And specialty plates crank it up many notches. In Colorado, we have the regular plate (decently straightforward) plus alumni plates from 13 colleges, plus 34 military plates (from Korea vet to civil air patrol) plus 25 “group” plates, from breast cancer awareness to Italian American Heritage. Seriously. Another matter to bring to officials’ attention? What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.