The improvements include adding the state’s Great Seal on the front and the cardholder’s photo and date of birth on the back — both of which are viewable under black light — as well as the addition of a laser-perforated word “MICH.”

The new card also will feature a two-dimensional bar code with encoded information on the back, as well as the existing magnetic stripe and barcode.

Bars and law enforcement likely will benefit most from the increased ID security. Both can use the barcode to verify the information on the front of the ID. It is especially important because bars can be held liable for underage drinkers, and spotting fakes can be difficult in college towns with large crowds of young drinkers.

“I would say anything that helps make it easier to make sure that someone is of age is a good idea and helps us,” said David Ykes, manager of Woody’s Oasis Bar & Grill, 211 E. Grand River Ave.

Obtaining fake IDs is not uncommon during college, and the new security features of the card might be a stumbling block for counterfeiters. That being said, even the U.S. Treasury is unable to create bills that are counterfeit-proof, so it is likely Michigan’s security resources are even less sophisticated and able to be replicated.

All the same, Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for the Secretary of State, said the cards were last updated in 2003. In technologic years, that is a long time for security improvements to remain static. Given the fact the state was renewing its contract with the company responsible for printing the cards, it makes sense to update the security at the same time, ostensibly to protect individuals from identity theft or other issues.

Woodhams said the cost per ID will increase from 96.5 cents to $1.25 ­— at no cost to Michigan residents. About 30 cents per ID seems a reasonable amount for the improvements. It also means either the state was making large enough profits before or the upgrade and costs were accounted for in the budget. Either way, the cost is not being passed on to individuals in a direct way, which is good.

If the state can afford to make the improvements without passing on the cost to taxpayers, there is no harm in trying to improve security if only to stop from falling irreparably behind.

If the state expects businesses to be able to weed out and be liable for underage drinkers, it should give them as much help through secure IDs as possible.

The improved IDs could help bars and liquor stores keep better tabs on who’s drinking and perhaps prevent some bad decisions.