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EZ-ID Tag Program Passes Big Hurdle on Beacon Hill

Gary Richards, President of the EZ-ID License Plate Program, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, and Jay Gardiner Director of Anna Maria College's Molly Bish Center hold a sample plate. Photo Credit: Jay Gardiner

MILLBURY, Mass. -  The EZ-ID license plate bill, which would add basic symbols to Massachusetts license plates to make them easier to remember, has moved from the Transportation Committee and into the Ways and Means Committee.

The bill, also known as Molly’s Bill (S1798), is led by Gary P. Richard, president of the EZ-ID program, and by Jay Gardiner,director of Anna Maria College's Molly Bish Center.

The legislation had been dormant for eight years but support this year has allowed it to move out of committee for the first time.

The idea is simple: license plats would incorporate a randomly assigned basic symbol, such as a star, heart, diamond, or circle, etc., into each registration number itself.  This makes it easier to recognize, remember, and report license plate registrations for all law enforcement purposes.  This program does not displace specialty, low number, or vanity plates, as these are already more recognizable.

Children learn symbols before they learn to read or write.  Even eye charts for children and illiterate adults use symbols instead of letters. Gardiner said. Cognitive studies show that children as young as 2 1/2 years old can remember a symbol a week later, whereas random numbers and letters are a challenge even for adults to remember.

The policy would be the first in the nation.


Comments (1)

Mr. Ed:

Finally - a reason to enter the low plate number lottery.

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