Senator Saland's Legislation Prohibiting The Sale Of Materials That Distort License Plate Numbers Signed Into Law

Senator Steve Saland (R,C Poughkeepsie) today announced that his legislation (S.2501-B), making it unlawful to sell any substance used to prevent a license plate number from being captured on radar, has been signed into law by the Governor.

There are now substances available for sale, primarily in a spray-on form, which if applied to a license plate, reflect photo radar flash. These substances are invisible to the naked eye but create a high gloss, clear, reflective finish on the plate that obstructs the view of a license plate number, making it difficult for law enforcement to read the numbers.

While a law enacted in 2005 prohibits the application of the substance over a license plate, there is nothing in present law that would deter the sale of the substance.

"There is no legitimate reason for a person to purchase these substances," said Senator Saland. "This law will discourage the sale of a substances offered with the intent of evading the law. Law enforcement officials will be able to carry out their responsibilities more effectively without this impediment to traffic enforcement."