How drivers are making themselves ‘invisible’ to speed cameras in illegal trend

Drivers are illegally using so-called 'ghost' or 'stealth' number plates in a bid to avoid being caught by traffic cameras. Motorists are using the plates - made from reflective materials - to stop speed and automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology from reading the numbers and letters. It means that lawbreakers could be free to commit offences unchecked.

The news comes as more cameras have been erected around Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to help the police catching criminals using the area's road network including the M6, A34, A500 and A50. Amid growing concerns that the issue could be more widespread than initially feared, an MP has stepped up calls for sterner repercussions for those found using deceitful plates. Under the current system, drivers incur only a GBP100 fine without the imposition of penalty points, markedly milder than penalties for speeding infractions.

The ease with which number plates can be cloned, rendered illegible, or tampered with raises alarm, along with fears that ordinary motorists might face substantial financial woes if struck by vehicles with counterfeit plates not recognised by insurance companies, reports Birmingham Live[1]. West Bromwich MP, Sarah Coombes, took this troubling trend to Parliament in search of more rigorous enforcement against fraudulent number plates, asserting: "This is a serious criminal issue. And at the moment, the penalties for covering up your number plate or changing it in some way is less than what you'd get for a speeding ticket.

"I know that most drivers in West Brom are just trying to get to work or drop their kids off at school. They are safe and careful drivers. But there are a select minority of people who think they are above the law.

"They think that by using a ghost plate they can get away with running red lights, drunk driving, ignoring speed limits and much, much worse. It can't be right that these drivers are not being caught by police for creating so much danger on our roads. The punishments need to be tougher."

Ms Coombes added: "ANPR and the humble number plate is hot-wired into the UK's road safety. "If people think, by doctoring their plates, they can speed, drive without due care or without insurance to evade prosecution - then we need to remove this temptation. Innocent members of the public are being put at risk."

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References

1. ^ Birmingham Live (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Sign up for the latest breaking news and top stories from StokeonTrentLive on WhatsApp (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)