December 22nd, 2008
Fun with speed cameras, teen-style
There used to be a lot of stories like this one — about how the vast majority of speeding cameras are empty boxes. In Maryland, it seems it’s even better.
According to Ars Technica, Maryland teens have discovered that Montgomery County’s cameras can’t distinguish between real license plates and laser-printed ones. So kids are making up fake versions of their enemies’ plates, pasting them over their own plates and speeding past the cameras.
The “Speed Pimping Game” gets the other person a $40 citation. And parents are upset, The Montgomery County Sentinel reports:
“This game is very disturbing,” the parent said. “Especially since unsuspecting parents will also be victimized through receipt of unwarranted photo speed tickets.
The parent said that “our civil rights are exploited,” and the entire premise behind the Speed Camera Program is called into question as a result of the growing this fad among students.
The parents are calling on the county council to withdraw the cameras, which, they say, were only instituted as a way to make money without having to pay cops to drive the beat.
That would be a victory for privacy rights. Thanks, kids!
