Florida Senate proposal requires motorists to have both front and back license plates
Florida motorists would have to attach license plates on the front of their vehicles that would match the plates already required on the rear, under a proposal moving forward in the Senate.
The Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Committee on Tuesday backed a bill (SB 92) that is primarily about body shops but also includes the proposal to make Florida the 30th state to require most vehicles to display two tags. Bill sponsor Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said the proposal is aimed at reducing hit-and-run drivers.
"As people are speeding away from these scenes, there's a lot of cameras out there. And they can't always see the back of a (car)," Gruters said.
Sen. Erin Grall, a Vero Beach Republican who suggested the addition to Gruters, said two plates could provide more accountability.
"The witnesses will many times see the front of the car, but not see the rear of the car," Grall said. "And sometimes there are repeat offenders who know exactly how to get away from an accident without having their plates seen."
Gruters said he hopes to address issues related to costs before the bill goes to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee. Gruters said he wants to set "the least amount of cost to motorists and the state."
License plates are made at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford.
