Page 11 - Photo Enforcement
Photo enforcement in used with several different methods, but all use a computerized photo system.
Photo speed enforcement is set to photograph vehicles traveling above a predetermined
speed (5 to 10 miles-per-hour over the speed
limit).
Some fixed speed cameras use sensors that are embedded in the roadway to measure your speed, others use radar.
Red light camera also use sensors in the roadway to capture your violation.
The results are reviewed and a ticket is mailed. Each image
contains the date, time, location and vehicle speed. The photo radar
company processes the data and gets the owner information.
There are five different types of counter measurement devices that you can use, to defeat the enforcement cameras.
GPS Based Warning Systems
These devices have become very popular in European countries over the passed several years, especially where radar detectors are illegal and they are now just beginning to become available in the US market.
The way this system works is that you download the latest locations of the speed enforcement cameras into your GPS system from the provider. Then when you approach the location of a known camera, the GPS warns you to slow down.
The NavAlert is the first portable camera based system for the USA.
Speed Cheetah USA is the first company that has developed a GPS Overlay for their TOM TOM GPS System. You can download this GPS Overlay here.
Radar Detectors
There are two different methods used in the USA that speed enforcement cameras use to measure your speed, radar and embedded sensors.
Commonly referred to as photo radar and the most popular of the speed enforcement cameras, use radar to measure speed. A good radar detector such as the Escort 8500 X50 or the Beltronics RX65 will detect these type of enforcement cameras in enough time for you to slow down.
However, radar detectors will not work with speed enforcement or red light cameras that use embedded sensors in the roadway to measure speed.
Flash Back Device
A flash back device installs on your license plate and senses the flash of a photo enforcement camera and simultaneously flashes its own strobe light onto the license plate, washing out the numbers to the photo enforcement cameras.
Radar Roy tested one of these devices in January of 2006, just after the city of Scottsdale, Arizona installed their Redflex sensor based photo enforcement cameras along the 101 freeway. During this period the city of Scottsdale was sending out warning letters to violators captured by their cameras.
During this test, Roy found that at these devices were ineffective against these cameras on the 101. The manufacture states that they are currently modifying their system to work against this new threat.
Plate Covers
A less expensive alternative if they are allowed in the areas you drive, are the anti-photo enforcement license plate covers, such as the Super Protector.
These covers go over your license plate(s) and keep the plate visible while you are directly behind the vehicle. However, if you are offset on an angle, where the photo enforcement cameras would be positioned, a portion of your license plate is blocked.
Washington D.C. has strict laws regarding these covers and violations can cost well over $300.00.
Many people use and buy these covers as maybe evident to you as you drive around your local streets. But it is recommended that you check with your state and local departments on laws in your area regarding these covers, prior to you applying them.
These types of covers are not effective against motion video cameras that are sometimes used in stationary photo radar locations and at toll booths.
Photo Spray
The least effective method of beating the photo enforcement cameras is the photo spray such as the Photo Stop.
The spray is at best 45% effective in reflecting the flash from the camera, thus over exposing the photo of your plate.
Consumer Warning>>
|
