GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Michigan drivers might have a new responsibility if a bill introduced last week passes. It would require drivers to have a front license plate on their vehicles in addition to the one on the back.
Democratic Sen. Tupac Hunter sponsored the bill. He said dual license plates would make it easier to identify vehicles for crime reporting and safety purposes.
It’s something Sgt. Geoff Collard, with the Grand Rapids Police Department, also said would be beneficial.
“On a daily basis you wish you could see a plate on the front of car,” Collard said. “When you’re on patrol you spend a fair amount of time turning around and trying to see what the plate is as it’s driving away.”
However, West Michigan drivers don’t appear to be convinced about the idea.
Peter Baker moved to Michigan about a year ago. He comes from Ohio, which is one of 31 states that already requires doubling up on plates.
“It’s kind of nice to only have one in Michigan. That’s definitely a perk,” Baker said.
And he’s not the only driver opposing the bill. More than 200 comments poured into the FOX 17 Facebook page. The majority were complaints.
EJ Weller wrote, ‘I don’t have a place on my front bumper and I don’t want to drill holes in my Silverado.’
Another commenter wrote, ‘I have no complaints as long as they are sold ‘buy one get one free.'”
Baker agrees and said, “If it costs more to get two plates I’d definitely say that one is obviously a better choice. ”
FOX 17 contacted the Secretary of State to find out what the additional cost would be for a second plate. They said they haven’t had time to review the bill and create an estimate.
