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R plates

The Internet Reacts to New ‘R Plates’ Introduced on Australian Roads


If you missed the announcement yesterday, new car plates are launching in Australia to help drivers return to the roads after a traumatic experience or accident. Titled ‘R’ plates or “return plates”, the signs on their cars will apparently tell other drivers to give them space and patience while behind the wheel. Surprisingly, the internet has weighed in on the matter with measured and constructive criticism… Kidding; they tore the idea to shreds, and to be honest, they make a few valid points.

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The plates have been created by MyCar –Kmart’s tyre and auto business – and are available to order or download online for free. The initiative has not been mandated by State Governments’ road authorities but is more similar to the opt-in scheme like Baby On Board signs or Southern Cross stickers for Holden ute drivers.

While we can collectively respect the intentions of this project, the execution has utterly bewildered people.

Putting the obvious slur aside, R platers will undoubtedly paint a giant target on their cars for further harassment. The idea puts an unrealistic amount of faith in Australian drivers, who abuse each other on the roads daily. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

As the above Tweet outlines, it’s truly staggering to think not one person flagged the apparent issues associated with the ‘R’ plates. We are better than this, people.

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