[DeTomaso] A brilliant idea from the National Motorist's Ass'n

[Will Kooiman]

If a human can read it, a camera can too.

If a human can't read it, it's illegal.

If it is obstructed such that it can only be read from certain angles, it
is still obstructed and illegal.
--
Will





On 8/20/13 2:04 PM, "MikeLDrew at aol.com" <MikeLDrew at aol.com> wrote:

>Hi guys,
>
>Copied and pasted from the NMA's newsletter....
>
>Mike
>
>====
>
>The Internet is full of websites that sell covers and sprays claiming to
>obscure your license plates from those pesky ticket cameras. We¹ve been
>reluctant to endorse such products since they reportedly don¹t work very
>well, and 
>they may result in drivers running afoul of the law. (More on that below.)
> 
>But, when we got the following letter from a lifetime NMA member in South
>Carolina (we¹ll call him Al) describing his DIY license plate privacy
>filter, 
>we were impressed with his ingenuity and thought other NMA members would
>be 
>interested. Al¹s solution, described below, relies on readily available
>privacy filter material used to obscure computer monitors when viewed
>from an 
>angle:
> 
>Reading about 3M computer privacy filter material, I found a merchant
>online offering the size for my iMac desktop. I chose that option because
>it 
>could be cut into multiple license plate covers. For reference, I ordered
>the 
>21.6 inch width. Click here for more information. It comes in gold or
>smoke. I 
>chose smoke and installed the non-reflective side out.
>
>Other parts required are a frame and clear, plastic cover available at
>Advance Auto. As intended for computer screen privacy, the filter goes
>opaque as 
>the eye is moved side-to-side from center viewing. For license plate
>application (and getting maximum coverage from a single sheet of
>material), I 
>marked and cut two plate covers vertically from the sheet. I probably had
>enough 
>left over to make another two from this sheet.
>
>Rotating the screening operation from horizontal to vertical obscures the
>plate when viewed from above‹perfect for any pole or high-mounted camera.
>The 
>material is quite sturdy, so I used my hole-punch set and chose the 1/2"
>tool to cut four holes for the Advance cover...perfect fit! Remembering
>to 
>install the matt side out, I was very pleased with the final product. No
>violation of license plate visibility under normal situations, like
>straight 
>behind and off-center viewing.
>
>You must choose the frame and clear plastic cover (sold together as a
>unit) 
>carefully, making sure the extra film thickness will not prevent normal
>mounting. Then, holes must be cut in the film, allowing it to seat firmly
>in 
>place underneath the stock clear cover. For greater security, I recommend
>using four bolts/screws even if the vehicle requires only two to attach
>it to 
>the mounting area.
>
>With patience, good tools and workmanship, I was able to produce a
>"factory" job that should pass any normal inspection. After all, the
>plate 
>visibility is still much better than most windows on today's cars,
>including those of
>law enforcement. But, when the eye is moved upward to the designated
>angle, 
>as with a pole-mounted red-light camera vying to take your picture, the
>plate goes black‹totally unreadable!
> 
>Now, for the road test! I was followed by a SPA black & white for almost
>five miles. It was my normal route home from I-85, and the two young
>officers 
>just happened to be going the same way. For at least half the journey,
>they 
>were directly behind me and had ample opportunity to observe my plate
>from 
>as close as 10 feet. I watched them closely, and not once did they appear
>interested in my license plate or anything about my vehicle.
>
>My idea works and at an affordable price. Happy motoring!
> 
>Editor¹s Note: We have not tried Al¹s solution so we cannot assess its
>efficacy. Also, be aware that most states have laws about what you can
>and 
>cannot do with a license plate cover. Some ban covers completely. It may
>not be 
>enough for your plate to be readable by the naked eye. Some states, like
>Maryland, have passed laws that say your plate information must be
>recordable 
>as an image. This makes it illegal to hide your plate (by whatever means)
>from a ticket camera. The NMA does not encourage any driver to break the
>law so 
>be sure to check the relevant statute for your state before proceeding.
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