Stupid Speed Camera Tricks

I don't like speed or red light cameras. I think if the authorities are going to issue a citation to a driver they should do it face-to-face and not through some sort of automated system that can be manipulated to the municipalities advantage as was done in San Diego (yellow lights were shortened to increase the number of violations and therefore the number of fines collected).

In Maryland some high school kids are getting back at their rivals by misusing the speed cameras:

As a prank, students from local high schools have been taking advantage of the county's Speed Camera Program in order to exact revenge on people who they believe have wronged them in the past, including other students and even teachers.

Students from Richard Montgomery High School dubbed the prank the Speed Camera "Pimping" game, according to a parent of a student enrolled at one of the high schools.

Originating from Wootton High School, the parent said, students duplicate the license plates by printing plate numbers on glossy photo paper, using fonts from certain websites that "mimic" those on Maryland license plates. They tape the duplicate plate over the existing plate on the back of their car and purposefully speed through a speed camera, the parent said. The victim then receives a citation in the mail days later.

Students are even obtaining vehicles from their friends that are similar or identical to the make and model of the car owned by the targeted victim, according to the parent.

"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.

You're supposed to have a right to confront your accuser, and unless they're planning to bring the cameras and computers into court to testify and be cross-examined, it is my view that these systems are not lawful.