who buys this stuff?

 

I found a report on the effectiveness of the photoblocker spray and thought I would share this with all of you, we all know that this stuff doesn't really work. I am amazed that people out there produce this stuff and that there are people out there gullible enough to buy it and use it.

Police Chief Test Spray on Photo Block

Miss Poi

cover your plates - NOT

In some states it's illegal to cover your license plate with anything more than a frame to hold it. Even a frame could be constituted as illegal if it blocks any part of the decals or stickers.

Statute §502.409 of the Texas Transportation Code states so. Since being passed by the Texas State Legislature in 2003 it has only been randomly enforced, partly because the legality of the statute was being reviewed by the 5th Circuit Appellate Court in New Orleans. But that changed last May when the federal court ruled that a person commits an offense if a vehicle:

1) has an attached illuminated device or sticker, decal, emblem or other insignia that is not authorized by law and that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers on the plate or the name of the state in which with vehicle is registered; or

2) has a coating, covering or protective material that:
a. distorts angular visibility or detectability; or
b. alters or obscures the letters or numbers on the plate, the color of the plate, or another original design featureof the plate.

Note that this includes any obstruction of any of part of the design features of a license plate. It doesn’t have to be something as extreme as a colored plastic cover; you are in violation of the law if even part of the word ‘Texas’ is covered. The frame put on your car by the automobile dealership or that salute to your favorite sports team could earn you a traffic ticket.

Here's a good one from Nevada, not sure if that spray stuff would impact it but I'd be willing to bet they could make a case for it:
Nevada License Plates
* License plates must at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible.
* License plate specifications call for plates to be readable from a distance of 100 feet during daylight.

Here's another story about that spray stuff:
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030703-120901-3612r.htm

California's code 5201 states:
(f) No covering may be used on license plates except as follows:

(1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a violation of this subdivision. Any peace officer or other regularly salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws, including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle.

(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.

(g) No casing, shield, frame, border, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle.

I think that you'd have a good argument that the spray stuff is legal based on California's statutes.

--
. . If I only had a brain....................................... http://www.hugginsnet.com/ilovemymio ..................................................... GPS Units in Use: Mio C310x (primary) and Garmin eTrex Legend for GeoCaching.

Robinh, I am aware of the

Robinh, I am aware of the TTC code;, but I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket for the license plate frame covering the state name. I ask a policeman in Georgetown about it, and he told me they had more to do than stop someone for the frames covering the state name. I don't know about the covering or spray.....never heard anything on it either.
To be on the safe side, I did remove the frame on my plates.

--
Garmin 660

Give them a reason...

Yes, I doubt seriously that they are going out of their way to write up citations for those items. The story that I gleaned this from, that led me to looking into it deeper, was about cops who see a motorist that they think may be operating impaired, and they look to any excuse to pull them over. I've heard that the majority of tickets in Texas written for this violation accompanied a DUI violation. Go figure... anyway, I don't mind getting an edge on the POHlice, but when it comes to just downright breaking the law, I'll stay away from that.

It's like window tint. One of my employees got cited here in Charlotte, NC, last week for tint in excess of whatever darkness rules they have. He used Limo tint on his front windows and according to the cop, which was upheld in traffic court, there's a limit to the darkness of that shade. Good thing they didn't search well in his truck as that guy carries at least three knives and two guns every where he goes...lol...

--
. . If I only had a brain....................................... http://www.hugginsnet.com/ilovemymio ..................................................... GPS Units in Use: Mio C310x (primary) and Garmin eTrex Legend for GeoCaching.

Though the video may show

Though the video may show how it doesn't work

I've heard it helped a bunch of people from reputable sources...

this leads me to belive that this a shaky product that works sometimes and doesnt work other times... perhaps based on angle and brightness of flash?

coatings

I'd be concerned about the legality of it. If your state has statutes against any kind of coating on the plate, while it might be contested as to the legality of the statute, fighting it would take more money than paying the fine.

--
. . If I only had a brain....................................... http://www.hugginsnet.com/ilovemymio ..................................................... GPS Units in Use: Mio C310x (primary) and Garmin eTrex Legend for GeoCaching.

scary

It really scares me to think that people would be so determined to run red lights and get away with it that they would go to such lengths to be able to break the law and take the risk of killing themselves or other people.

by the way, when traveling

by the way, when traveling in chicago, make sure the cars in the other direction is going to in fact stop running yellow and red is a hobby there.

Stealth Plate

What concerns me about the redlight camera's, when you know they are there and attempt to stop, the guy behind you is speeding up to get through the changing light. I know I almost got hit that way. The courts won't cut you a break if you go thorough a light to avoid a rear end collision.

Timing

To me its all about the Money, It appears to me that if only the timing of the red lights were different so as to give the Red Light Side several more seconds before giving the Green Light to the other side that would solve the problem. But here in the States they want to bust your chops with fines every way they can. Thank you dear Politician for finding just another way to steal money out of hard working Americans Pockets.

Spray On

Lee & Mamie

I have heard , and read an article about these sprays. You might as well spray Right Guard on them.
I did hear an interesting idea. If you put several washers in the top part, behind the plate and none at the bottom, it will change the angle of the plate where the camera won't work because of the reflection.
There was a place in Colo. that sold stealth products. They claimed that a clear plate cover would stop a camera. You could see the plate clearly unless you were elevated. Its like looking through a set of window blinds. Never have tried any of them.

I am still trying to figure how to get maps in my new Garmin 7500. I think they should have been installed when recieved. Then I could go online and just do an update. A lot of $ and an all day headache that is ongoing.
Happy New Year everyone,
Lee

--
Lee & Mamie

When I read the "who buys

When I read the "who buys this stuff" title I assumed the post was going to be about gullible folks believing a cop telling us what does and doesn't work when trying to get away with breaking public safety laws.

Caveat: I am agnostic about such products, and don't use them. I also don't have a stealth bra, radar/laser jammer, etc.

Caveat: I think those that habitually run red lights are dangerous, self-absorbed sociopaths who should have their licenses revoked before they kill someone.

I say all that in order to ask this:

If it DOESN'T work what vested interest does the Police Chief have in saying it doesn't work?
Answer: none.

If it DOES work what vested interest does he have in saying id does not work?
Answer: income reduction due to lost fines

Note that the article did not mention whether or not there was any loss of clarity from the control images (if any), only that it was still clearly visible. And it was not tested at night when the increased contrast would be more likely to jack up the image if such a thing were possible.

I won't believe either position until I see it on Snopes or Mythbusters (mmmm, kari).

--
US-only CoPilot + android Optimus T = cheap, effective nav http://www.mousetrap.net/mouse/gps/

Mythbusters

Good points -- I think Miss poi made some assumptions in her original comments that could turn out to be incorrect.

If this does show up on an episode of Mythbusters, please post the results. smile

JM

I was told there was an

I was told there was an episode on Mythbusters about radar detectors don't really work, but I can personally say that mine has saved me many a times. So I'm not sure how well they do their tests with these things. of course I never did see the episode, so I'm not sure if they did do a thing on radar detectors.

Mythbusters

The episode on Mythbusters was about ways to beat RADAR and LIDAR speed guns. The conclusion was that all the different ways were "BUSTED".

--
Gordon - Jacksonville, FL - Garmin Steetmap C550

Red Light POI's

Just a thought,

If an action is illigal, such running red lights, (and not good sense), does POI Fctory in maintaing poi files for red light cameras put it self in the position of supporting a potentialy distructive attitude and disrespect toward those those rules that are meant to reduce those accidents at intersection?

I my self would think this not a very professional attitude. I would think POI Factory would better serve its users by not maintaining such files.

It is OK to be selective in those files that are maintained on this site.

Just a thought!!

Jim

oOo thanks for clearing that

oOo thanks for clearing that episode up

cameras file

That's a fair question Jim.

POI Factory doesn’t take a position one way or the other on automated enforcement systems, but we certainly don’t condone any activity that’s illegal or unsafe.

Getting an alert from your GPS is just another way to be more careful as you approach an intersection. The Federal Highway Administration (a government agency) reports that rear-end crashes become more likely around intersections with red light cameras, while side impact crashes tend to decrease. It’s a good idea to look out for other drivers who may stop suddenly when they realize the intersection has cameras and fear they may get a ticket.

Here’s a link to related information at the US Department of Transportation’s web site:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/crt/lifecycle/redlight.cfm

Key points shown on this FHWA page:
· 15 percent increase in total rear-end crashes.
· 24 percent increase in injury rear-end crashes.
· 25 percent decrease in total right-angle crashes.
· 16 percent reduction in injury right-angle crashes.

Bottom line, we think that anything that helps you be alert and careful around these intersections is a good thing.

Miss poi

I agree with Miss POI- If

I agree with Miss POI-

If you think about the physics of it all - a POI file does not allow one to run redlights - it merely adds a layer of protection at lights.

LEAs in many cases like to unfairly weight their ability to gain knowledge at the expence of the right to freedoms and privacies, and for example in the case of radar detectors, in violation of treaties (the Geneva Convention -through lawyereze). Having worked many years with LEA, the upper hand is often sought at a greater cost, often hidden in the cliche "if you were on the up-n-up, you would have nothing to fear, now would you"....

If you don't think so, I can elaborate on the D.C. operation last year to add cams and lights, even mid block (!) to acquire more funds through tickets... got alot of media attention.... many were eventually pulled after alot of heat.

LEA should never be above having an eye on their operation, too. the POI keeps their operations ethical IMO.

Generally speaking, saying that POIs help to cause running of redlights sorta misses the point, and misses the erosion that pushing Orwellianism with such cams causes. And fundamentally, Miss POI has it right - red light warnings just keep it even safer at intersections. THAT is pretty clear cut methinks - Great job!
Best,
Paul

--
Paul, in Flagstaff AZ; Garmin Nuvi 255W, Kenwood (Garmin) 512, Garmin c550/traffic, c330, i3, V, III-Pilot, III+, many military models various mfgrs

in spain and italy, if you

in spain and italy, if you are at the head of the queue at the intersection, you are honked at and berated if you don't leave the when the cross-traffic light turns yellow - i don't make this s**t up people smile

thing is, they put their traffic lights at the START of the intersection, instead of on the other side of the intersection, so the only way to tell that the light turns green is if you stop BEFORE the intersection. I thought it was ridiculous at first but after a week of driving, it made a lot of sense... pedestrians always get a chance to make it across without having to deal with a**hole drivers stopping in the crosswalk (and possibly killing them as they step out when the light is about to turn for cross-traffic.) It is definitely a better system than here in the U.S.

-=dave

@tungsten2k Way off the

@tungsten2k
Way off the subject, but Dave your profile isn't set up to accept messages, is that a tattoo in your avatar? Just curious, I'm a tattoo collector....

--
. . If I only had a brain....................................... http://www.hugginsnet.com/ilovemymio ..................................................... GPS Units in Use: Mio C310x (primary) and Garmin eTrex Legend for GeoCaching.

Scary

Atta Girl Miss POI....
I agree 100% with you..........

For those people who Keep running Red Lights, sooner or later you will get yours...A Ticket or Death. Your choice.

Joemac

--
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming---WOW!! WHAT A RIDE!!!" Member 2854

hopefully not death, just a

hopefully not death, just a really big ticket

I too agree with Miss POI's

I too agree with Miss POI's point. The red light camera files help those who use them be in better compliance with the law rather than circumvent it. Although red light camera are certainly advantageous to the coffers of the cities that install them, they also are signifcant in preventing side impact accidents. And while statistics may indicate an uptick in rear end collisions, that type of accident is usually less severe than a side impact.

In my case, when my GPS alerts me to a red light camera on my route, I am more cautioas about both the traffic in front as well as behind me, knowing that someone may stop quickly when they see the camera or someone may try to go through the intersection as it was obstensibly a trouuble intersection before the camera was installed.

Just my 2 cents.

Phil

Red Light warnings

Great response, Miss Poi.

Also the alerts will jar you into paying more attention in case you happened to be talking (like I was) and not really mean to run the light but go through the intersection late (I guess that's really running the light at the end of the day). Anything that helps keep your attention on the job at hand is good.

Nevermind the fact that I personally consider red light cameras to be unconstitutional (you have the right to face your accuser in court). In this era of Photoshop it would be just too easy for someone to frame you (especially with the poor resolution of these cameras), should they have enough time and justification to do so. Don't tick anyone with the gov't off, I guess.

Rick

I've read that the pictures

I've read that the pictures are very clear and have high resolution.

I buy it!

FWIW I use the photoblocker spray. It is totally invisible and my own tests show that the plate is unreadable in certain lights & angles that were readable before application. Do I deliberately run lights? ... No! Am I out to ineffectualize unmanned speed & traffic devices? Yes! I also run with no front plate in a state that requires them. (It blocks my grill & the car overheats!) I use a radar detector & a laser shifter. Will they protect you if you are targeted? No! Will they tell you if a car in front of you has been targeted? Yes! Usually more than a mile away with the radar. I have never received a ticket while using these devices. Perhaps I would not have anyway. I have had a few tickets when I was not using these devices. It's worth a few bucks to emphasize alert driving.

Just my 2 cents.

I dont have any and...

I dont use any of that stuff .. no need for them.. I do use a radar dectlor once in a while but dont reall need it since I travel the speed or at least with the flow of traffic. Yea having the radar detector and even the gps with red light notifation is nice but relly should not count on them. good info but eveyone should drive as tho you dont have those advantages.

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

The photoblocker stuff was

The photoblocker stuff was initially effective against some cameras, but new cameras can't be beaten that way.

No Red Light runner

I bought and did spray on my car license plate. However, I never run a red light.

--
nuvi660

same here

alandang wrote:

I bought and did spray on my car license plate. However, I never run a red light.

I also bought and used the photo-blocker on my license plate even though I don't run a red light.

However, I tested the product at home with my digital camera. I sprayed 5+ coats on it but still got very clear pictures w/ my digital camera. I hope the product fare better in real live situation.

You probably have to

You probably have to re-angle your license plate to make the photo blocker more effective or flip it the other way around smile