KOCHI: It was in 2011 that the state government introduced CCTV cameras in some parts of the National Highway stretch by associating with the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and in the city areas along with the Police Department. Though the cameras installed on these stretches detected numerous road violations such as speeding and signal-jumping, the drivers have tried to evade detection by wearing masks and covering the number plates of their vehicles.
When the departments installed speed camera detectors on the road, techies came up with an Android application that provided the location of cameras on the road. This too helped violators evade fines for speeding.
Apart from all these tactics to escape from the eyes of the law, innovators have now come up with reflective-type number plates to block infrared and other cameras installed on the road. A majority of red light and speed cameras utilise strong flash to photograph the number plate of vehicles, but when the anti-infrared sticker is pasted on the number plates, it will block the clear visibility of the picture owing to the intense light reflected from the sticker.
The photo blocker not only comes as sticker but also as spray. Once the number plate is sprayed with the blocker, it will work as a reflector and will overexpose the image of the number plate, rendering the picture unreadable. As it is sprayed or pasted on the number plates, no one will able to detect it.
Though the MVD is yet to take any action, the presence of such numbers plates has been detected in the city. “We have around 200 cameras installed along the National Highway stretch but, so far, we haven’t came across such number plates. Normally, when the flash hits the number plates, there will be overexposure, resisting a clear view. But, as we have installed infrared cameras, it won’t affect us,” said M Suresh, Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement).
However, the official confirmed the entry of such reflective-type number plates in the state. “We have already received reports of such incidents, but they are yet to come to our view. As per the reports, such number plates are prepared by sticking a reflective sticker on the numbers. When light falls on the plate, it will be exposed to intense light and will block a clear view of the numbers,” he added. Whereas, the Police Department, which has around 30 functional cameras in the city, is already facing the issue. “We were not aware of the new tactics, but there had been many cases where we couldn’t trace the number of the vehicles owing to the severe light from the number plates. At first, we thought that it was due to some error in the cameras, but we came to realise the real fact after seeing the perfect image of the number plates in other vehicles,” said a police official.
What is the new camera-blocking reflector?
It blocks all light, including infrared, above 720 nm, the band in which IR cameras work. Plus, plate numbers always remain visible to the eye to comply with most regulations.
* Clear and transparent covering
* Inconspicuous to the naked eye
* No plate distortion when viewed at an angle
* Very effective and proven to work
* Quick and easy installation
* Pays for itself the first time it works
* Thousands of satisfied customers
* Works during night as well as day
App to beat cameras
When the departments installed speed camera detectors on the road, techies came up with an Android application that provided the location of cameras
The police in city already aware of issue
We have around 200 cameras installed along the National Highway stretch but, so far, we haven’t came across such number plates. Normally, when the flash hits the number plates, there will be overexposure, resisting a clear view. — M Suresh, Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement).