PhotoBlocker lets you run red lights
Normally we know better than to buy any kind of spray anything being sold on the Internet, but PhotoBlocker is a
special reflective spray that's supposed to be able to make it impossible for traffic cameras to capture an image of
your car's license plate when you're speeding or running red lights. The FAQ says it all:
Q. Is this product legal?
A. YES. The law in most countries requires your license to be legible to the naked eye. PhotoBlocker Spray is a high gloss, clear, reflective spray that is undetectable. It causes no distortion nor does it obstruct your license plate's view. YOUR LICENSE PLATE WILL BE VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE. Besides, no one will even know you have it on. It only fools the cameras.
[Thanks, Gabe, also seen on TRFJ]
Filed under: Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thomas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I heard about this product in France where drivers have lots of trouble with automatic-cameras.
This product might be undetectable during the day, but at night, with other car lights, it's very very obvious (flashy) that your license plate has something special ... and cops don't like it so much.
Josh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Sprays like this have been featured on the local news down here in Southern California a few times.
There are still ways for the cops or Boeing (who runs the cameras down here) to get your plate. Normally, according to the news broadcast, just inverting the image in photoshop will make your plate numbers stick out very nicely.
James Stewart @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Hairspray does the same thing. 20p a can. However, they have the technology to still view the plates, I saw a tv program all about it.
Fine James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Can we spray this all over Paris Hilton? That way we don't have to see her in the media anymore, and anyone who wants to see that whore can just pay for it
Kasamaan Drakon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I love the picture on the can. looks like they photoshoped it in the creators basement.
Lacy Kyle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
In the UK, anything applied to a registration plate that 'makes the characters less easily distinguishable or prevent or impair the making of a photograph' is unlawful..........so, not only can the authorities find out the number of the car anyway by various workrounds, you get done for this additional offence as well!!
Abe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Can we spray this all over Paris Hilton? That way we don't have to see her in the media anymore, and anyone who wants to see that whore can just pay for it
Sounds like somebody has a case of the Mondays.
llcooljayce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Sounds like somebody has a case of the Mondays ...
I do believe you would get your ass kicked for sayin something like that.
Uncle Chachi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I tried some Photoshop tricks on the "sprayed" image, and it looks like the plates say something else. Anyone else try this? I inverted, and then played with levels, hues, etc, until it looked somewhat "readable"... Curious to see what it looks like to others.
Flip @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
This product (supposedly) lets people disobey traffic laws with impunity and endanger lives? Yay! Just what I've always wanted! I won't ever let TheMan's oppressive regulations stop me again.
Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Only problem...
Many of the newer traffic cameras don't use flashes. For the reflection to come shining back, wouldn't a bright light be required? So once again... defeated by technology.
Stu Savory @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
here in Germany such sprays would be illegal, but we don't have a general speed limit on the Autobahn. I wanna go 150+ mph, I may do so :-)
Or ride a motorcycle, which do not have front plates here; and they are required to take the photo from the front.
Stu
austin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Why is the pavement, car, etc blue in the picture before application of this miracle spray and green in the after picture? Did the promoter use some kind of filter to enhance the effect? Curious.
Desco @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I'm thinking it's the difference in the angle of the sun might be changing the ambient color (more yellow and reddish at sunset than at noon), or perhaps the reflection off the plate is causing the camera to attempt to compensate.
Jason Green @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Definitely hear you on the Paris Hilton comments - nice one! :-)
But you can also just REMOVE your front plate! Done and done.
You cant get a ticket for it, and technically they are not supposed to be able to stop you for it. You may get a "warning" (ooooh!)
Grandpa @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Or you could just stop being the selfish dickwad who runs lights and makes everyone else wait.
I love visiting LA and freaking you crap-ass drivers out. Just tap the gas as the person behind the person who should have stopped comes across your path. Give's them a heart attack.
Tommy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Come on you guys (and gals..)
The first foto is taken with the cameras flash turned of and the second foto with the flash turned on! It's as simple as that! This will work on any licenseplate worldwide, so you simply have to convince your local law inforcement to use a regular flash on their cameras, and voila! Your secret identity is completed...
Mr_X @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Does this actually work? How bout soe first hand reports? I believe that it is considered illegal to "alter" your license plate with products like this in some states... if they can track you I just got a ticket in the mail for going thru a yellow light on S. Capitol St. in DC at the same time another car was on my left quarterpanel. He set of the camera. Really. I swear it was yellow, officer.
Brad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I thought Thomas's point was a good one -- any time a cop was behind you at night he'd pull you over when he noticed your plate was unreadable. You'd get a fix-it ticket every fifteen seconds. (And you would have to spray the rear plate, too, since most of the intersections I've seen have synchronized cameras in front and rear.
In response to Jason Green - in California, at least, no front plate is a ticket, that will be written BOTH by motorcycle AND parking cops.
steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
yup.. motorcycle cops, patrol cops, parking officers, and even airport cops in california can jack u for front license plates. The bottomline is these cameras make an assload of money for the city. If you accicentally run a yellow too late and you know you're cutting it close, just hold something up over your face (i.e. sun visor). They need visual confirmation of your face to get you.
A. Bennis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Tommy you definetly make the point here. We can see clearly that the flash was used in the second shot not the first one.
Couple hints to look for:
-Flash reflection on the lady's shades,
-Flash reflection on the car's headlights,
Again look closly at the shadow of the lady, the sun is behind her, it is impossible to have a light reflection on her sunglasses like she does as her back is facing the sun. Plus, why would they even want to use the flash to legit their product, it must really really work! What a shitty car too to advertise with!
ambroise @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Hey, why don't you guys at Engadget focus on what you are good at, i.e. give the world a head's up on great technology rather than advertising a scam. Drive safely and you won't have to worry about being flashed!
JD @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Just became illegal in NC on October 1, 2004.
Any operator of a motor vehicle who shall willfully cover or cause to be covered any part or portion of a registration plate or the figures or letters thereon by any device designed or intended to prevent or interfere with the taking of a clear photograph of a registration plate by a traffic control
system using cameras commits an infraction and shall be fined under G.S. 14 3.1. [$100.00]
Bhima Pandava @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Here in Austria this has come & gone, mostly because we have speed control cameras. Anyway this is considered to be equivalent to tampering with government documents and the penalties are roughly equivalent to forging passports and such.
Shiyoushi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Has anyone actually watched the "news" clips on the seller's website that supposedly are about this spray?
The one from Australia has nothing to do with hiding your plates from the speed cameras, rather it's about faulty cameras being replaced, and how fixed cameras are basically just revenue raisers for the government.
toz? @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
don't know about that, but hairspray used to work pretty good..
Tristan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
While the product seems to work, I reckon it's hardly worth the risk.
I once saw a car I suspect of having used something like that. While driving behind it in a tunnel, it's rear plate was flashing each time it was at the right angle with the tunnel lights.
Cops seeing a flashing plate will not think twice about pulling you over and give you a hefty fine for tampering with your plates.
If this kind of product ever catches on, cops will start looking for funky reflections at any occasion. It will just become part of their routine each time they stop a car.
Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Channel 12 out of Portland, OR ran a story on this, first a few months ago, then it was repeated the other night. Bottom line: the stuff doesn't work.
Not only doesn't it work, but they tracked down the guy who sells it and he ADMITTED that it didn't work. He said it was for "suckers." Yes, he actually said that--on camera. I saw it with my own little eyes.
Gurn Blanston @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I'd just like to point out that in most states in the U.S., that using *anything* that hampers the police in apprehending criminals (fake IDs and radar jammers come to mind) can be prosecuted under "Obstruction of justice". The reason that radar detectors are legal here and radar jammers are not is because radar detectors cause the user to *slow down* to avoid a ticket (i.e. Stop committing the crime), and radar jammers let speeders speed with impunity. No special law has to be passed either. This stuff is already illegal to use.
Mark Pitman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
"The bottomline is these cameras make an assload of money for the city."
From stories I've seen on the news, it seems that the company contracted to run the cameras makes the majority of the money!
renato @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
In complaints.com you will find the story of Photo Blocker user. He received the ticket with a perfect picture of cars license plate, anyway. It reminds me of some other car accessory item stories (devices for fuel cost savings etc.).
Brett Dickson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I remember an article several years ago in New Zealand on a product like this. The conclusion was that it didn't work (in fact the product made the licence place more readable) because New Zealand licence plates are highly reflective anyway and all the traffic cameras are celebrated for this.
Suzi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I hate Photo Cop, red light camera, speed camera, photo radar, traffic light camera or whatever they are called I just hate them!!!
Are you sure this PhotoBlocker spray works? They claim that it was tested by the media on their website www.phantomplate.com On the videos it shows the police saying that it really works by making your license plate invisible to traffic cameras. Can anybody tell me if this is true?
www.photoblocker.com please let me know what you think.
Bitu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Guys, I am telling you this stuff works. I should know, I have been using it for two years. Two years ago I was getting photo-radar tickets every three months. Then I saw a FOX News report that showed how well this PHOTOBLOCKER spray worked. It showed Denver police Department testing it and cops actually called it surprisingly effective.
I have tested the spray myself. I triggered one of these nasty cameras intentionally one early morning when there was nobody around. I saw the flash go off but I have yet to receive any tickets. It is a nice feeling to know that I am not driving naked. These cameras are not for safety they are all about revenue. I have donated enough money to the local police department. They are not going to get me again for driving 5 miles over the speed limit.
See for yourself. They have the police test results on their web site www.phantomplate.com
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Our company and the Swedish Television ("Trafikmagasinet") independently tested the Photoblocker Spray on Nov, 3rd, 2003.
Link to Swedish Television:
http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=6911&a=134112
Conclusion: Photoblocker Spray made number plates invisible. No doubt!
http://www.nicepriceeurope.com
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Our company and the Swedish Television ("Trafikmagasinet") independently tested the Photoblocker Spray on Nov, 3rd, 2003.
Link to Swedish Television:
http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=6911&a=134112
Conclusion: Photoblocker Spray made number plates invisible. No doubt!
http://www.nicepriceeurope.com
jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Our open user contributed database http://www.phototenforced.com tracks Red Light Camera locations and fines around the world. We have 1000 locations in the database and its growing. We would appreciate your help adding any locations we are missing.
jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
CORRECTION . . . Our user contributed database http://www.photoenforced.com tracks Red Light Camera locations and fines around the world. We have 1000 locations in the database and its growing. We would appreciate your help adding any locations we are missing.
Grace @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Its not that PhotoBlocker is a scam, but people are getting ripped off paying $30 for a $3 can of Hi-Shine clear coat that you can get at Walmart under the brand name Folk Art Hi-Shine finisher spray paint. It even comes in the same 6oz cans. I tried them both and they are exactly the same product. The FolkArt Hi-Shine is also available in 11oz cans for $4.50. Try it out before you pay Phantom.#@$% your hard earned money.
alex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Are you talking about the product that I have to apply over and over again after each car wash? Or should I be praying all the time that it does not rain, so it gets washed off and I will be driving naked.
Do the math and tell me how many of the FolkArt would I be using in two month for $4.50 if I go to a car wash once a week? That is disregarding the fact that it may rain.
I am better off with the $30.00 PhotoBlocker Spray according to my calculation.
http://www.phantomplate.com/
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
New and improved formula!
http://www.photoblocker.info
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
New and improved formula!
http://www.photoblocker.info
Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I work EMS. Last night we cut the mangle body of a 12 year old girl from a wreck caused buy a guy who was speeding and ran a red light. So all of you can go ahead and use the spray and runs some red lights too. I just hope next time its your daughter or loved one.
eRock @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
You gotta love a paramedic wishing death to your family for using some harmless spray. I thought you're job is to save lives?
Did you know traffic cameras are causing more rear-end accidents than accidents from blowing the light? That's what PhotoBlocker is for...so you don't have to lock 'em up & cause an accident just so ya don't get your picture taken.
Plus, don't we all already pay enough to our government in taxes?
http://www.stopphotocops.com/
Marcel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
I started using photoblocker for peace of mind, not to run lights or speed past Photo Radar cameras. The way the cameras are set up these days, you can easily get a ticket for barely passing through a yellow light or not dropping your speed fast enough in transition zones where most speed traps are set up.
Most cities are setting up cameras where there is the most traffic not the most accidents.
No one is above the law, but I am not willing to pay into the cash cows that are out there.
I would rather be stopped by a patrol officer than recieve a ticket in the mail weeks later.
In Canada you can get a can from WWW.PHOTOBLOCKERCANADA.COM
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
IMPORTANT!
New and improved formula (the old one will turn yellow and flake off license plate).
http://www.photoblocker.info
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
IMPORTANT!
New and improved formula (the old one will turn yellow and flake off license plate).
http://www.photoblocker.info
Gene @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Re: "You gotta love a paramedic wishing death to your family for using some harmless spray. I thought you're job is to save lives?
Did you know traffic cameras are causing more rear-end accidents than accidents from blowing the light?"
No, I didn't know that they cause more rear-end accidents. Do YOU KNOW this?? How did YOU FIND THIS out? Listen, dipwad, another problem arises here - that of following too close, which is another dangerous habit - as well as being illegal. Don't criticize the paramedic for his emotional "wish". You don't seem to mind endangering someone else's loved one.
eRock @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Paramedic Gene -
Traffic cameras have been proven to be nothing more than another revenue generator for the state, causing more acciodents than deterring.
If you would realkly like to learn more on the latest news on traffic cameras, visit: http://cameracops.blogspot.com/
Alex Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM
Photoblocker Spray Enhanced! New and improved formula (the old one will turn yellow and flake off license plate).
http://www.photoblocker.info