[Tigers] TV show "mythbusters" on blocking speed cameras

Jim Boynton jimboynton at comcast.net
Fri Nov 30 06:32:44 MST 2007


Sub Myth 2: Plate Blockers

It is possible to obscure your license plate from a speed camera without
obscuring it to regular vision.

The Action/Results:
They test 5 things that are supposed to keep a speed camera from getting a
clear picture of your license plate.  Two are DIY: clear plastic wrap and
hairspray.  The other three are commercial products: "blocking spray", a
plastic plate cover with microcrystals to reflect the flash, and another
plate cover with a plastic lens to distort the license number.

Adam sets up a scale test in the shop, using his digital camera and flash.
The only product that does anything is the plastic lens, but there is still
enough of the license number clearly visible for a database search.

The test is then repeated out at Alameda.  Once again, the lens blurs out
part of the license number, but not enough to do any good.  The other
products don't do anything.  Myth BUSTED.


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