Red Light Camera Tickets

[gene giambona]

Anyone lucky enough to live in S.F. within the last four years may have noticed the dramatic population of red light camera enforced intersections. I have not had my photo taken for a red light infraction to date, but I have witnessed the camera flash go off with other drivers.

I certainly do not condone running red lights, but I came across a merchant at the Monterey Historic Races this past weekend selling a spray-on product that would make your plate "invisible" to the camera. The vendor handed me two plates, one with the product and the other left unmolested. The plate with the product was a bit more glossy, only because I was looking for a plausible difference. According to the salesman, the bright flash of the camera gets reflected back at the lens and a photo of your plate is taken with a nice reflection blocking the majority of your tag so that it becomes illegible. Seems like it could work. They were selling the spray can for about $29 with the ability to do around 4 plates.

Just by coincedence, I noticed a BMW M5 parked near one of the exits to the track with a rear license plate shield. It did not get my attention until I moved either to the left or right of the plate's center. Right before my eyes, the plate became illegible . Pretty neat, but certainly not as stealthy as the paint. A police officer would be able to notice it driving past this car and potentially give you a ticket based on the following vehicle code.

"(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a
violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or
impair the recognition of the license plate information, including,
but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and
registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over
the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate
security cover shall rest over the license plate number."


I did not purchase the product, bit was wondering if anyone had first hand experience using it or something similar. Is the product more effective at night as opposed to the day? My cousin bought two cans, so if anything happens, I'll be sure to let you know the results.

In case anyone is interested, here is the web address for the spay paint. http://www.phantomplate.com/

[clayfoushee]

I got ta brige fer sale for a gud "by it no" prize you mite be inturestd. U see, my cusin oned it and he just dyed en a Cobra akkicent, so he no longer has a ned for it. U jus need to muv it .

In all seriousness, cameras, light, and glossy surfaces all interact in endless combinations. It's highly unlikely that a spray-on product would provide any fool-proof protection.

One thing is clear in a number of states. Any tinted or optically treated license plate cover is illegal, and in a number of places, they will generate a stop from a police officer.

You're far better off, not running a red-light in the first place. But, putting one of those on, greatly increases the odds of getting "busted" over the lesser odds of getting busted by the camera.

[Edley Rondinone]

I just got caught running a "red light" here in L.A.. I contend the light was not red in the direction I was travelling, and the photo shows the light being red in the opposite direction than I was going. As of now, there is NO photo evidence of a red light in the direction I was travelling.
My question is this: Would I be likely to get out of this ticket because there is no solid evidence that the light which I allegedly "ran" was red? Can I claim that there may have been either a momentary mechanical malfunction at the signal, or a momentary Computer-malfunction at the signal?
It's common knowledge that computers sometimes need to be "rebooted", or at least turned off then turned on again. What would be the likelyhood of me winning my case with that allegation of evidence?
It seems circumstantial that the light was red OPPOSITE the direction that I was travelling; as far as I know, this signal in question does have arrows for left turns and such.
Anyone have any ideas for me?

[xlr8or]

They did a test a while back on TV and tried the various sprays, filters, covers etc.. None of them worked. The camera takes multiple pictures starting before the flash and ending after it. Any plate that is not clearly visible due concealment efforts is manipulated through filters, black/white, negative image etc. so they were able to clearly ID the plate everytime. Any effort to conceal the plate in CA is illegal and a moving violation so it will cost you a point on the driving record. My friend tried a cover type deal and not only got a ticket at the red light camera the pictures clearly showed the cover so they wrote him up for that as well. $450 dollars later he lost his case at court.

[Turk]

Hpw much is the fine for driving without a license plate?

[Jamo]

Edly

Let me be the first to tell you this...you're screwed.

Where do I send my bill?


You would have to prove that particular light has a defect, and a few nano seconds aren't going to help much. You need a substantial differential.

[trularin]

Let's see; you have a $35K plus car with possibly years of work invested in it and you are running a red light that has a rather high possiblity of rendering a collision that will damage and may even distroy that very same car.

I think I'll just stop for the red and let someone else run it.

[BlueRooster]

I rec' a 50$ ticket recently while using my wifes EZPass. I got the ticket in the mail with a big picture of the back of the cobra with the back of my big head in it. One car per pass. The paint would have come in handy me thinks.

[Rick Parker]

How about black spray paint, there are several Graffitti artists practicing throughout California Perhaps one is visiting a location near you!



Rick

[clayfoushee]

Now there's an idea worth considering........... . I'm sure that black spray paint would be a lot more effective than that spray-on clear stuff....cheaper too! Someone give it a try, and report back here.

Meanwhile, I think I'll just stop at red lights .

[Todd Hedges]

Confuse everyone and use someone elses plate.

[vettestr]

Just be happy they did not send a copy of photo with you and the RENTED blonde to the wife !! Pay the ticket ,your screwed!

[LETSRCE]

Yo Mortadella, if your car made as much hp as mine you just be a blur and wouldn't need no paint!