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/
Red Light Camera Tickets
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