Nigerian judge stops fines for faded number plates
A court in Lagos has ruled against a government department imposing fines or "arresting vehicles" in cases where faded number plates are displayed.
Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Commission was defendant in a case filed against it by Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube. Mr Ezebube's summons sought a judgement to determine "Whether the Defendant, pursuant to Section 5(g) and Section 10(3)(f) of the Federal Road Safety Commission Act 2007, being the sole designer and producer of Vehicle Number Plates in Nigeria, is not absolutely responsible for the quality and durability of the vehicle number plates as are produced by it".
The aim seems to have been to apportion liability to the FRSC rather than the owner or driver of a vehicle displaying faded number plates.
Justice Aluko's ruling stated, “By way of conclusion, I hold the view that the Defendant cannot criminalise the use of a faded vehicle number plate, and has no power to impose a fine on the Plaintiff for using a faded vehicle number plate, or impound the Plaintiff’s vehicle on such grounds, without the order of a court of competent jurisdiction [...] An order of the Honourable Court restricting the Federal Road Safety Commission from imposing any fine or punishment on the Plaintiff for driving with a faded vehicle number plate is granted."
He did not deliver wholly in favour of the plaintiff, Mr Ezebube, as the Judge also ruled that Mr Ezebube had a responsibility to obtain new plates from FRSC to replace the faded ones, and to pay a fee for the replacement.
“An order directing the Plaintiff to approach the Defendant for the replacement of his faded vehicle number plate LSD905EQ, and that the Defendant shall replace the same upon payment of the reasonable and requisite fee is granted.”
Rwandan Police parade detainees arrested for number plate crime
On 18th January, Rwanda National Police (RNP) brought eight arrested suspects in front of the media's cameras. The eight men were apprehended during a series of police operations taking place across the country.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Boniface Rutikanga said that the suspects were caught in possession of motorcycles displaying number plates that did not match the bikes' chassis numbers.
The assistant commissioner said, "Some motorcycles had plates from different motorcycles, while others had been stolen and given forged plates. So far, 136 motorcycles have been recovered with changed plates, including 16 motorcycles that had been stolen.”
Mr Rutikanga said that operations were ongoing against "the people, who often use vehicles with concealed, altered or forged plates to commit crimes like robbery and transportation of stolen goods,"
Theft carries penalties of up to 2 years in prison and fines of Rwf 2 million (over £1000). If the offences involve threats or violence then the penalties can be up to seven years in imprisonment and a fine of up to Rwf 5 million (nearly £3,000).
Australia's special number plates for Chinese New Year
VicRoads, the body responsible for issuing vehicle number plates in the state of Victoria, Australia, has announced the auction of a selection of numbers to be auctioned in recognition of Chinese New Year 2025. Many of the numbers contained digits significant in Chinese culture and numerology.
VicRoads said, "Eight in particular is the luckiest number because the pronunciation 'ba' sounds similar to the word 'fa', which means to make fortune."
The numbers two, six, eight, and nine were described as "very auspicious".
The auction will be a live event held at Melbourne’s Part Hyatt Grand Ballroom, but online bidding will also be available.
Amongst the combinations up for auction will be Victoria numbers 86·888, 7·887, 1·680, 8·282, 59·999, 2·025 (for the year 2025), 28·000, 98·989 and 6·886.
Irish police tackle illegal plates in Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny gardaí have warned against the use of non-regulation number plates on vehicles using the county's roads.
A spokesman said that a huge number of drivers were using "non-conforming" number plates on their cars. Amongst the problem features listed by police were "so called” German-style, raised gel numbers and tinted plates.
The gardaí spokesman said, "These are extremely hard to read at night and some may have an anti infra red coating aimed to hinder ANPR.
"Why is this a problem? Well basically because our job necessitates that we can read your plate, easily. This is to curb disqualified drivers, speeding drivers and criminals who we try to hinder.
"An illegible plate due to tint, excessively small font or ridiculous italics WILL get you stopped and you may face court."
According to gardaí, the main requirements on the format of vehicle registration plates are:
- The registration number, which consists of numbers and letters, must be black on a white reflective background.
- The name of the county of registration must be in Irish, (for example, Baile Átha Cliath).
- The EU flag and the letters "IRL" must be placed on the left-hand side of the plate. The flag shows 12 gold stars in a circle, with the letters "IRL" in white underneath it, all on a blue reflective background.
- No other numbers, letters, or marks, should appear on the registration plate.
Uganda goes digital
The Ugandan government is proceeding with the roll-out of digital number plates to replace the county's existing registration plates.
The new plates will use radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging, which will track and record vehicle-specific details such as insurance, tax, and information on journeys made. The system will enable authorities to track and identify cars.
As well as privacy concerns, drivers have objected to having to foot the bill for fitting the new plates. Replacement of old plates with new will reportedly cost USh 735,000, which is about £161 GBP.
Ugandan President Museveni said the government is not interested in the private lives of motorists but countering crime, especially terrorism.
The introduction of digital plates is currently in its third phase. As well as their RFID capabilities, the new digital number plates will use a slightly revised numbering system.
