Motorists are using simple tricks like ghost plates to evade speed cameras, prompting authorities to take action against this growing trend.
These ghost plates are actually illegal 3D and 4D number plates that reflect light in a way that confuses the cameras. Because of this, police are stepping up their game with new tech to catch these sneaky drivers.
Last year, a big shot in the UK’s number plate recognition system said about one in fifteen drivers was getting away with this. He called it “staggeringly simple” and even wrote to the Transport Secretary about it.
Now, local councils like Wolverhampton are getting high-tech cameras to spot these ghost plates. They’re serious about cracking down on this issue. If you’re caught using one of these plates, you could be looking at a hefty £100 fine.
Councillor Craig Collingswood mentioned that Wolverhampton is the first council to invest in this new tech. He’s all about keeping the roads safe. They’re making it clear that bus lanes and speed cameras are crucial for public safety, and anyone trying to dodge the system will pay the price.
Professor Sampson, who used to oversee the surveillance cameras, pointed out that some drivers are cloning plates or using reflective tape to avoid fines. Even with advanced tech, there’s still a 97% accuracy rate, which means millions of misreads happen daily.
He also shared that there are around 15,400 traffic lanes monitored by cameras, reading millions of plates every day. But the system has a flaw: it relies on physical plates, which can be easily faked.
Sampson stressed that it’s surprisingly easy to trick the system. Just a bit of reflective tape or a stealth plate from online can confuse the cameras. He estimates that one in fifteen drivers might already be using these tricks, and that number could grow as more traffic rules come into play.