Crafty motorists have found a way to outsmart speed cameras with the use of ‘ghost plates,’ also known as 3D or 4D plates, that reflect camera flashes, making their vehicles undetectable to the law. This illegal tactic has prompted authorities to take action to close this loophole. The issue came to light when the head of the national Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, Professor Fraser Sampson, expressed concern over the high success rate of drivers evading fines through these deceptive means.
Professor Sampson highlighted in a letter to the Transport Secretary the various methods employed by drivers to avoid penalties, including cloning number plates, using reflective tape, and purchasing ‘stealth plates.’ These tactics have proven effective in circumventing the ANPR system, which reportedly has an accuracy rate of just 97 percent, leading to millions of incorrect readings daily and resulting in innocent motorists being wrongly fined.
With a vast number of traffic lanes monitored by cameras, the ANPR system processes millions of reads each day, posing a significant challenge in accurately identifying vehicles. Despite technological advancements, the system remains vulnerable to exploitation, as Professor Sampson pointed out the ease with which motorists can manipulate it using simple tools like reflective tape or stealth plates.
Moreover, the proliferation of emission zones and other traffic management schemes has created financial incentives for drivers to ‘game’ the ANPR system. As reliance on this technology grows, the risk of abuse increases, with estimates suggesting that a considerable number of drivers may already be using anti-ANPR technology to evade detection.
Professor Sampson emphasized the need for enhanced regulation and countermeasures to address these loopholes, as the ANPR system’s effectiveness in policing, law enforcement, and traffic management is at stake. He underscored the critical role of number plates as a vulnerable point in the system, susceptible to exploitation through the use of stealth plates and other evasion tactics.
The ongoing battle between authorities and motorists employing deceptive techniques to avoid fines underscores the evolving nature of traffic enforcement challenges. As technology advances, so do the methods of evasion, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation to stay ahead of those seeking to exploit loopholes for personal gain.
In conclusion, the cat-and-mouse game between drivers and enforcement agencies highlights the need for continuous innovation in traffic management and surveillance to ensure the integrity of the system and uphold road safety standards. As new tactics emerge, authorities must respond with robust measures to maintain public trust and accountability in traffic enforcement.