PhotoBlocker Spray Now Illegal in California
by Steve
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Last October, the Governor of California signed a bill into law (AB 801), that makes it illegal for people to spray PhotoBlocker, PhotoSpray, or any kind of spray that makes it difficult to photograph a license plate.
The bill amends, Vehicle Code (CVC 5201), by adding the following text...
(g) A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle.
The text does not specifically use the word "spray", because legislators wanted to make the text broad enough to include any kind of covering. But if you read the bill's background, the issue is specifically PhotoBlocker.
AB 801 was the idea of the Transporation Corridor Authority (TCA), the body that manages a series of toll roads throughout Southern California. Drivers have been able to pass through the "Fastrack" lanes without the required transponder, and avoid collecting fines by spraying PhotoBlocker on their license plates.
The TCA explained that they lose $400,000 in fines and tolls from Highway 73 and Highway 241, each month due to motorists using PhotoBlocker. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which operates the San Francisco Bay Area toll bridges, cites losses of at least $100,000 per month from toll evasion.
The bill also makes it illegal to sell PhotoBlocker spray, with a fine of $250.00 per item.
I'm not sure how law enforcement officers are supposed to enforce this law. My guess is that they cannot, and for the most part it's moot.
On the other hand, if you sprayed PhotoBlocker on your license plate, and a camera snapped a photo that had some glare, but was still readable, they might be able to fine you at that point. Technically, they'd still have to prove that the glare was caused by PhotoBlocker, and not their photo equipment. But I'm thinking they'll just fine you for it anyways, and see if you pay the bail.
Read the full text of AB 801 here...
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_801&sess=CUR&house=B&author=waltersLabels: Motorcycle License Plates
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Plate Flipper - License Plate Message Text
by Steve
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Plate Flipper is a device that hooks to the license plate of your motorcycle, allowing it to flip down, and reveal a special message for the guy behind you.
Perfect for folks who ride congested roads and need to send out a "friendly reminder" to the cage behind them. You actually create any message you want.
I think what's needed is a programmable LED version, where at the push of a button you can display different messages.
I imagine it can also be used avoid paying tolls on toll roads, allowing you to evade the cameras.
Visit Plate Flipper online at...
http://www.plateflipper.com
Labels: Motorcycle License Plates, Strange Stuff, Toll Roads
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Texas Issues First Motorcycle Plates for State Officials
by Steve
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Texas State Representative Norma Chavez is the first person in Texas to get a special motorcycle license plate for state officials. Previously, license plates stamped "State Official" were only available for cars.
The El Paso Democrat had been requesting the plate since she bought her 1994 midnight blue "baby" in 2000. She said she is the only female Texas legislator who rides a motorcycle and she was the first to request the plate.
Increased demand for specialty motorcycle license plates prompted the Texas Department of Transportation to others. Other motorcycle plates available now include messages such as "God Bless America," "Fight Terrorism" and "Native Texan".
Labels: Motorcycle License Plates, Texas
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