[DeTomaso] StopLight Camera License Plate Diffusers Beware!

[John Bentley (jab)]

" 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."

There is the catch.  It really isn't even possible to get "caught" by
slower traffic in front of you.  You are obligated not to enter an
intersection unless it is clear.  This is what causes grid-lock.  People
enter the intersection not knowing they can clear, they get stuck
blocking cross traffic, then it gets out of hand.  It happens all too
often around here.....

The bottom-line is no matter what it is made of, or what its claim, its
not legal to cover the numbers/letters on a license plate in the
people's republic of Kalifonia.  Period.

JB



-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]
On Behalf Of Chris Difani
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 12:57 PM
To: 'panteras'
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] StopLight Camera License Plate Diffusers Beware!

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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