Licence plates in California could become digital advertisements

In a bid to tackle the US$19 billion (Dh69 billion) budget deficit, California is considering the use of digital number plates, which would change to advertisements when the vehicles were in traffic jams. When in motion the electronic plate would look like an ordinary plate, but when the car is stuck in traffic or at a red light it would begin scrolling adverts to the vehicle behind. Advertisers would buy space from the state's department of motor vehicles. Curren Price, a California state senator, said California was trying to be the first US state to introduce the technology. Price told The Daily Telegraph: "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." The plates could also be used to display public service announcements such as missing children alerts or traffic information.