Tuesday, June 5, 2012

DEAR SGT. AL: DESTROYING A RED LIGHT CAMERA




DEAR SERGEANT AL: Do you know of any way you can defeat a red light camera? Other than smashing the camera, is there a way to get around the picture taking while skirting through a red light with a camera? --I’VE HAD IT WITH PHOTO ENFORCEMENT TRAPS
Dear IHIWPET: As an officer of the law, I cannot of course support or condone the destruction of public property, or any property for that matter. Over the years and since their inception, I must admit however, that I have seen red light cameras go through various states of criminal mischief and destruction of public property. Depending on the jurisdiction and the amount of damage, tampering or destroying a photo enforcement device, whether for speeding or red light, can be either a serious misdemeanor or minor felony, and if caught somewhere else, say, on another camera or by a witness, it can definitely lead to a heavy fine if not some jail time.
We cops too are subject to the wrath of the red light camera. Make no mistake about this: photo enforcement does have a deterrence element like old-fashioned police enforcement, but the main attraction of photo enforcement is in fact revenue collection. If we the police are not careful to document an actual police emergency for cause as to why we went through a red light camera, we have to open up our own personal pockets to pay the fine just like you do. SO trust me, photo enforcement can be as annoying to us as well.
SO what can a motorist do to defeat the purpose of a photo enforcement device? Well, other than the obvious, one option is to get a license plate deflector shield. Sounds like a part off the starship Enterprise . . .
Deflector shields have various forms of effectiveness, from limp that you will get another photo ticket guaranteed, to overkill that you can’t see the plate numbers clearly, so you will eventually get pulled over by the police.

If you shop carefully, you can find an effective shield that if photographed at the right angle by a photo enforcement camera, your license plate number will be distorted and unrecognizable in a photo. I’ve seen other similar devices that run the gamut of effectiveness (or lack thereof), including “Photoblocker” sprays:
Some shields I’ve seen do such a good job that you can hardly see the plate number at all! And in that, there lays the problem with deflector shields: they are ILLEGAL in most jurisdictions, and very much like a broken taillight that is itching for a cop to pull you over, your deflector shield will stick out on the roadway in more ways than the deflector dish does on the Starship Enterprise.
But there are things you can do to reduce the possibility of getting a notice of violation in the mail, even if the camera stutter went off with a flash.

My friends at the AAA Auto Club and How Stuff Works tell me that red light cameras are based on sensors in the roadway that when rolled over activates the shutter.

Most red light cameras are designed that even after the shutter flashes, if you are able to stop the car after rolling over the shutter, you can back up over the shutter to re-activate the camera. By doing this, you are demonstrating to the camera that you are making an effort to stop for the traffic light, albeit imperfectly, but legally enough NOT to receive a notice of violation by mail. The trick is to do this at a rate of speed that enables you to back up immediately after a quick full stop past the shutter. Something else to consider in photo enforcement is weather conditions. Since wet weather requires a longer reaction time and distance to stop, red light camera jurisdictions generally give more leeway during bad weather as to whether to send a notice of violation. But of course a motorist should not use that an excuse for running a red light camera in wet weather!

So there you have it IHIWPET, no ticket from me, I’ll let the cameras do all the talking and ticket writing. Consider yourself forewarned when it comes to photo enforcement cameras. The best way to get around a red light camera is to know where they are; slow down when you approach them, and damn be sure to stop when the light is red before the stop line or crosswalk. If you pass the shutter after a flash, immediately stop and back up past the crosswalk (safely please, look behind you) until the shutter goes off again. License plate covers and sprays are iffy, some don’t work, some work too well, or some will get you more into trouble than you were initially looking for. Speed cameras are another beast; so perk up if you see signs of upcoming photo radar, and consider yourself toast if you get caught via a speed camera. BOTTOM LINE: While they’re still picking the bugs out, and the courts in various states are giving push back to their legality, photo enforcement is still the wave of the future, and they literally will be staring down your rear view mirror with a FLASH as you sail through an intersection or past a mile marker, so you better get used to it!  Drive on, be safe, and good luck!

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Sgt. Al here. I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions. You have questions about the police, and I'm interested in hearing what you have to say as a citizen. Thanks!

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