A photo radar is designed to snap drivers who travel five to ten miles per hour over the speed
limit. These photos, along with particulars such as date, time, location, and vehicle speed, are
also mailed to offenders.
Anatomy of Photo Radars
How does photo radar work?
Photo radar is made up of the following:
Radar sensors:-
A radar sensors detects the presence of photo enforcement devices. Accordingly, it assists drivers in
beating photo radars by warning them of photo radar presence. This gives drivers time to slow down. Many
claim radar detectors are effective. One problem with radar detectors, still, is that these do not
work with red light cameras that measure speed using sensors embedded in roadways.
Flash-back device:-
What senses the flash of a photo enforcement camera and directly flashes its own strobe light onto
the license plate to make license numbers unnoticeable to cameras? Why, a flash-back device, of course!
Flash-back devices are largely popular, especially because they're cheap. A study, shows still, that
flash-back devices are ineffective in beating photo radars when Redflex sensor-based photo enforcement
cameras are used.
GPS-based warning systems:-
Radar detectors are illegal, and in some countries, use of flash-back devices are implicitly prohibited.
What do drivers interested in beating photo radars without breaking the law do? They buy GPS-based
warning systems. These devices, which are truly popular in European markets, has just recently become
available in the United States.This is how a GPS-based warning system works: you download the location
of speed enforcement cameras into a GPS system. Because your system now has a map of camera locations,
it warns you to slow down every time you are close to a photo radar.
While a GPS-based technology may seem infallible, it is not without its faults. To be effective, it
relies on your knowledge of photo radars' locations. This is knowledge you may not always have. All it
takes for you to get a citation is one speed camera unregistered in your GPS system.
Plate covers:-
Plate covers are cheaper alternatives to the three technologies I have previously discussed. These
covers go over your license plate, keeping it visible to anyone who is directly behind your car. In
certain angles, still, a portion of your license plate cannot be seen. Some states, particularly
Washington, D.C, penalize the use of these covers by as much as $300. Other countries are silent regarding
their use. Should you ever decide to go for plate covers, note that they do not work with motion video
cameras.
Photo spray:-
This is the least effective method for beating photo radars. It is sprayed onto license plates. Its high
gloss finish is said to reflect the light flashed by cameras, resulting in overexposure of photos.
Experts warn that photo sprays are only 45% reliable in reflecting camera light. likewise, though
photos are overexposed, a quick scrutiny of their negatives will yield the exact sequence of a license
plate's numbers and letters.
Beating photo radars requires cunning and the proper tools. When caught, you would be held fairly accountable. You must, therefore, precisely consider what technology to use and whether you are ready for repercussions. also, and only also, should you use any of the above-mentioned technologies.