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Apr 9, 2009 11:05 pm US/Eastern
New Technology Can Lead To Red Light Running
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
New technology can lead more drivers in South Florida and around the country to run red lights. With more and more cities like Miami Beach, Hialeah and Doral about to go to red light cameras, people are worried about getting caught. Now, maybe you don't have to, but is it legal?
"Totally against it," said Donald Becker to CBS4's Jorge Estevez. Becker is not a fan of dodging a driver's responsibility.
"If you have to hide yourself from doing something wrong, it's not right it's not right," said Becker.
But are products that keep drivers from getting caught running red lights legal? They are, sort of. Two products are on the market. The first is called Phantom Alert, which is information provided by drivers around the country and downloaded to your car navigation systems for ten dollars a month.
And it seems to be catching on. The company that makes that device says 20 percent of their business is coming from South Florida drivers who want to avoid those red light cameras.
Product two is a can of photo blocker for $30 dollars. You can spray it on your plate and it's supposed to reflect your flash so the number becomes unreadable. While the sprays are illegal if used on your license plate, the downloads are fine and not discouraged by police.
"As far as warning people about red light cameras. I think that can be beneficial and reduce injuries," said Sergeant Jeff Burns of the Aventura Police Department. Pedestrians are discouraged to learn there is technology to protect law breakers who can endanger their lives.
"It's dangerous enough to walk out here on these streets; that's why we come over here and walk you don't have to cross red lights or nothing," said Mike Purdon, a pedestrian walking along the street.
Police officers say the sprays really don't work that well and the plate blockers that do work are like a plastic covering and you can get a ticket if a police officer notices you have one.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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