A Niagara Regional Police initiative in the district covering St. Catharines and Thorold has moved to a new phase in which, over the next few months, officers will be charging drivers whose licence plates are not easily visible.
Police said that in October, officers from 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) began a six-month traffic campaign directed at obstructed and obscured licence plates.
Phase 1 was directed towards educating the public regarding the importance of a clear and unobstructed view of their licence plate, police said in a news release.
Officers issued 34 warnings, of which 27 were for an obstructed plate. Seven others provincial offences were identified and resulted in warnings.
Police said 1 District officers have now entered Phase 2 of the campaign, focusing on enforcement.
Motorists found operating a vehicle with an obstructed or obscured licence plate are likely to be subject to enforcement under the Highway Traffic Act.
Phase 2 will continue until the end of March, police said.
"Licence plates are meant to be able to provide unique letters and numbers to be able to identify a specific vehicle," police said. "The ability to clearly see a licence plate can be of critical importance in the event of a collision, medical emergency, investigating crime, or ensuring accountability related to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario."
Police noted that S. 13(2) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) states: "Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried."
Police noted that in September, Niagara Region launched an automated speed enforcement program as part of its "Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative" for Niagara.
Red light cameras identify motorists who fail to stop for a red traffic signal.
Police said the cameras are being added to the Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative this month.
Intentionally obstructing or obscuring a licence plate is a means to avoid the accountability of the Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative, police said.
