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Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal?

Old 08-29-2001, 06:40 PM
  #1  
George Cooper
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Default Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal?

Is the Photo-Laser & Photo-Radar defeating ?Super Protector? from "On Track" legal? It really bugs me that these clowns are sucking up $$$$ with these automatic camera things. They just mail you a ticket. Anyhow, this cover should actually work, since you can only read the full license plate text from straight on and not from the side or top. But I don't know if I will get pulled for having one.............
Old 08-29-2001, 06:47 PM
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kewlbrz
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

Check the laws in your state, but typically most License plate laws simply state it must be in clear view from the rear or something like that. At an angle (how the shields work) would be to subjective, so they should be ok.
Old 08-29-2001, 07:40 PM
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Walt Boeninger
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

CVC (Calif Vehicle Code) prohibits *any* covering of the license plate(s)
Section 5201(e) "No covering shall be used ..."

Of course, they also mandate a front plate and I have yet to be bothered in 30 years.....



[Modified by Walt Boeninger, 5:43 PM 8/29/2001]
Old 08-29-2001, 08:30 PM
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DAP
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (Walt Boeninger)

Read a hot tip from Car & Driver years ago...never tried it, but soon will since they're popping up everywhere (in addition to more stoplights and shorter yellows...

Five coats of clear laquer on your plates, letting each dry. The concept is, at the camera flash, the shine is so bright as to distort the plates numbers. Someone with some free time and a digital camera-please feel free to prove or disprove this theory...

Maybe a entra coat of Zaino on the plate? Hmmm..... :p:
Old 08-29-2001, 08:44 PM
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

I recently saw a show on this very thing and the plates were clearly visable with the camera... Possibly they have improved technology but I would get a money back condition...

Nick
Old 08-29-2001, 08:45 PM
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Speed-Racer
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (DAP)

DAP - LOL , sounds easy enuf

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Old 08-30-2001, 08:41 AM
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Adam87
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (kewlbrz)

I used to have one of these in the UK on a Trans Am. Problem was I got pulled a couple of times by police who noticed the plate go 'black' when overtaking on a motorway. Took it off as the worry of getting pulled was greater than the fear of the photocops.
Old 08-30-2001, 10:15 AM
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ncvetteman
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

It is also said wraping saran wrap around the plate will cause reflections also.... but none of these ideas work well.
Old 08-30-2001, 10:22 AM
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RajunCajun2001
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

I saw on special on tv as well...nothing worked to fool the new cameras. :cry
Old 08-30-2001, 10:39 AM
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ROD BROWN
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (Walt Boeninger)

mr. boeninger is correct. in ca. it is illegal to cover the license plate with anything other than a license platr frame. I have seen some frames that make reading the plate etremely difficult.some letters and numbers become very difficult to read.i.e.:I=T(vice versa),L=I,O=Q and so forth. by choosing you license frame you can be selective,actually changing the plate.not that any forum user would do this,I know all of us are honorable law bidders. :chevy :D :D :D :D :D
Old 08-30-2001, 11:20 AM
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C2000
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

Photocop, another ruse perpetrated on the American public as a safety project. Oh and by the way the cities, counties and state and most of all the big Insurance companies all benefit from the revenue taken in.
Old 08-30-2001, 12:35 PM
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rbarta
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (C2000)

In MD if they send you a photo ticket there is a picture of the driver, an overview of the car with the red light in plain view, and a closeup of the license. (not personal experience but I've seen a ticket that was sent to a friend). There is a fine but no points as long as you just pay it. Though this would seem to be a revenue generator and serve no other purpose, it seems that the number of red light runners has gone way down. And I agree with whoever said that the yellow timing is getting shorter, especially at the lights that have cameras :(

As for putting something over your plate, it seems to work but tests have shown that the cameras are usually within the visible viewing angle.
Old 08-30-2001, 12:37 PM
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Fast one
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (C2000)

If the locations of the cameras are known then a movable front plate would defeat the system.
Old 08-30-2001, 01:24 PM
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Adam87
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (Fast one)

A good product is available in the UK, that uses the GPS system. The radar detector like product will alert you before you reach a known camera (you set the warning distance.) You download the latest complete list of camera positions on a monthly basis from the company's internet site. Obviously this solution does not work for mobile camera units.
Old 08-30-2001, 01:34 PM
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Arkay
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (rbarta)

I pulled up to a red light and with a sign in the middle of the intersection
saying they have issued X-number of photo tickets and wanted to know
if I wanted to be next. There were NO cars in sight and I waited for the
green light. The sign got my attention! HiHi
Old 08-30-2001, 03:09 PM
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austinC5
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (Dick Kriss)

Which intersection was this? Here in town? or somewhere else? I need to know so I can avoid this intersection. :D
Old 08-30-2001, 06:03 PM
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ModifiedC5
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

does it work you ask?? Can you see my plates?

(I'm trying to post a pic - hope it works!)



[Modified by ModifiedC5, 4:05 PM 8/30/2001]


[Modified by ModifiedC5, 4:06 PM 8/30/2001]


[Modified by ModifiedC5, 4:07 PM 8/30/2001]


[Modified by ModifiedC5, 4:09 PM 8/30/2001]

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Old 08-30-2001, 08:12 PM
  #18  
Jet Jockey & C5
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (ModifiedC5)

Can't see it, but what did you do? ;) Also, can't read the white C5 Vert's either, but that's probably a focus issue, too far away from your car. :yesnod:
Old 08-30-2001, 10:22 PM
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J Lance Miller
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (George Cooper)

I don't get it, are you advocating running red lights? The license plate photo systems are simply an effort to stem the rising problem of red light running - at a cost to the tax payer I might add. The law abiding tax payer deserves to have the costs of installing these types of systems (I wish there was a way to also address the increased insurance costs...) defrayed by the offenders who caused them to be installed in the first place.

Please tell me where I have gone wrong in my thinking, if your points are valid, I'll forward them to the mother of the dead child recently hit by a red light runner - I am sure hearing them will ease her pain a great deal.

Have a nice day,
Lance
Old 08-31-2001, 11:07 AM
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ModifiedC5
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Default Re: Anti-Photo License Plate Covers Legal? (Jet Jockey & C5)

Jet Jockey - it's just a thin film cover that goes to silver at most angles except directly from behind. Tends to be more of a conversation piece at get-togethers and shows. Oh and BTW, these are strictly for those occasions where I put them on and take them off prior to going into the streets..... :rolleyes:

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