[DeTomaso] StopLight Camera License Plate Diffusers Beware!

Chris Difani cdifani at pacbell.net
Fri Mar 16 15:56:31 EDT 2007


Guys:

First of all, I never, ever want anyone to run a red light. Being in the 
public safety line of work for 30 years has vividly shown the folly of that 
idea.

However, at the same time, the fact that an automated device takes 
indiscriminate photographs, and then is used to garner revenue for a 
municipality without regard for the law (many of the California photo 
tickets have been thrown out of court), or for the legality of the recorded 
actions, is also "folly".

The cover that I told the list about is a clear plastic FRESNEL lens. Not a 
shiny plastic, shiny bits in plastic, or shiny spray system/device/whatever. 
It's clear. Anything under it is clearly visible. It does not obscure the 
plate. All it does, thru the magic of optics, is to focus bright light, like 
from a photo flash device, into a small area... which generates the 
appearance of a bright spot.

In California, the vast majority of red light photo tickets are issued when 
the car is in the intersection, when the light has gone from green to 
yellow, or yellow to red. Most of the photo devices aren't even set up to 
capture vehicles that run a fully red light. They seem to be designed to 
catch those people who entered the intersection legally, and then got 
"caught" by slow traffic in front of them, or some other problem.

In any case, the entire thrust of the currect protest is that a citation is 
required to be issued by a law enforcement officer. Not a mechanical device. 
The transgression has to be witnessed at the time it occurs. That's been the 
issue that the courts have been concerned with.... and so far, haven't 
resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

Chris

Chris Difani
'73 L #5829 "LITNNG"
Sacramento, CA
Email: cdifani at pacbell.net





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