About 170K drivers still using defective blue licence plates in Ontario
Three years ago, the Ontario government said it would stop issuing its new blue-coloured licence plates due to safety concerns.
But as of January 2023, there are still about 170,000 of those licence plates on the road.
The “A Place To Grow” plates were first introduced in 2019 with the government claiming the redesign reflected “a renewed government promise to put people first in everything it does.”
Officials said the product would last longer as a result of “high-definition” sheeting and that they represented “what good government is all about.”
But soon after their launch, people began to report issues with the new plates. Primarily, drivers noticed they were difficult to read at night.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Photos posted to social media appeared to show the new licence plates reflecting light in a way that made the details almost impossible to read.
After first defending the new plates, the government eventually decided to stop issuing them in February 2020. The following month, the idea of moving forward with a replacement plate was also ditched.
“After thorough testing by law enforcement and other key stakeholders, we are following their advice and will not be moving forward with the new plate for passenger vehicle use,” a statement released by the Premier’s Office in May 2020 read.
Drivers with the defective plates were told they could voluntarily exchange them for an original white “Yours to Discover” licence plate. But it appears the majority of drivers who received the faulty product have not done so.
On Wednesday, officials said that about 193,000 blue licence plates had been issued to drivers prior to that date. Of those, about 170,000 remain in circulation today.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery told CTV News that drivers have been receiving the white plates when they register a new vehicle.
However, the spokesperson also said the blue plates “continue to be valid until further notice.”
CTV News Toronto has asked if there is a plan to make the switch mandatory for drivers but received the same response.
"Blue licence plates continue to be valid until further notice."
In previous years, the government has said the pandemic has taken much of their efforts away from the file. Brian Patterson, CEO of the Ontario Safety League, says that while he is sure it’s on the ministry’s to-do list, it shouldn’t be difficult to send those 170,000 drivers a letter asking them to make the exchange.
“I don't know how many plate replacements they do in a year normally but I think this will be … completely doable,” he said.
“I think there's just been lots on the agenda for the last couple of years. But I would I'd like to see certainly a detailed plan as we go into the summer.”
He said he worries the people using the reflective plates may think it’s a “get-out-of-jail-free card.”
“I think that's the that's a concern of the police, that somebody can't accurately report an impaired driver because they can't provide the licence plate information at a safe distance.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.