California ponders digital license plates with ads

California officially has the worst traffic in the country, and it's about to become the most annoying: the legislature is examining ways to create electronic license plates that support ads.

And you thought your commute couldn't get any worse.

A bill is in the state assembly which, if passed, will commission a study on emerging electronic license plate technology and examine ways that it could introduce new ad revenue streams for the budget-challenged state.

The technology is being developed by Smart Plate, a three-person start-up in San Francisco, and would only be used on the vehicle's rear plate. When a vehicle is stopped for longer than four seconds, the license plate transforms into digital ad-space for which companies would pay to display an ad.

But it's not all evil; the electronic license plate could also be used to promote Amber Alerts or other emergency messages. But it's mostly evil.

(Source: The Sacramento Bee via sfgate.com)