California is considering using digital car number plates, which would show ads when cars were stuck in traffic, to help tackle its budget deficit.
The electronic plates would look like standard plates when the car was in motion, showing the registration number, reports the Daily Telegraph.
But when a car stopped for more than four seconds, scrolling adverts would be displayed to people sitting in the vehicles behind.
Advertisers would buy space from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, helping to pay back California's £12.8bn deficit.
Drivers would also be able to pay to have their plates show personal messages, such as the name of their favourite sports team.
Obscene messages would not be allowed and a section of the plate would continue to show the registration number at all times.
In emergencies, the plates could also be used to display public service announcements like missing children alerts, or traffic information.
Curren Price, a California state senator, said California was trying to be the first US state to introduce the technology.
"We're just trying to find creative ways of generating additional revenues. It's an exciting marriage of technology with need, and an opportunity to keep California in the forefront," he said.
A company called Smart Plate in San Francisco is already developing the plates.
0 comments:
Post a Comment