Humans, silly things, love owning something rare. When it comes to license plates, low numbers are in high demand by collectors. The number 1 is particularly sought after. In Massachusetts, low-number plates are in such demand that they hold a lottery for them. The governor of Illinois got in hot water in 2003 for passing out low-numbered plates to political cronies. That who-you-know aspect of low-numbered plates has been common in many jurisdictions, leading to the belief by some that police would tend to let drivers with low-numbered plates slide on minor traffic infractions. Who would want to ruffle the feathers of some VIP?
There could be a little truth to that. Certain VIPs get special plates. Governors in Idaho started getting their own number 1 plates back in 1957.
In 1977, Idaho State Trooper Rich Wills pulled over a car going 61 in a 35-mph construction zone. When he hit the lights, he didn’t notice that the license plate had only the numeral 1 on it. Yes, it was the governor. Governor John Evans wasn’t driving. His press secretary, Steve Leroy, was. Leroy was pushing the speed limit a tad in order to get the governor to a speech on time. Trooper Wills gave Leroy a quick lecture about slowing down and sent the men on their way.
Wills got a little grief in the press over the incident. It hardly ruined his life, though. He spent years with the state police before becoming a state representative.
But, what’s so special about low-numbered plates? The number 1 is no rarer than the number 3315, when it comes to plates. Humans. Silly things.
There could be a little truth to that. Certain VIPs get special plates. Governors in Idaho started getting their own number 1 plates back in 1957.
In 1977, Idaho State Trooper Rich Wills pulled over a car going 61 in a 35-mph construction zone. When he hit the lights, he didn’t notice that the license plate had only the numeral 1 on it. Yes, it was the governor. Governor John Evans wasn’t driving. His press secretary, Steve Leroy, was. Leroy was pushing the speed limit a tad in order to get the governor to a speech on time. Trooper Wills gave Leroy a quick lecture about slowing down and sent the men on their way.
Wills got a little grief in the press over the incident. It hardly ruined his life, though. He spent years with the state police before becoming a state representative.
But, what’s so special about low-numbered plates? The number 1 is no rarer than the number 3315, when it comes to plates. Humans. Silly things.
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