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NPA irate as speedsters snap up plate sprayDate Posted: Saturday 03-May-2008By Fiona Gounden
Drivers across the country who have been using an invisible spray to prevent cameras from snapping them in the act of breaking the speed limit have been warned that their number is now well and truly up.
One of the most popular products to avoid being caught at illegal speeds or jumping red robots is Photoblocker, which costs about R350 and is sprayed onto front and rear number plates.
The formula creates a high gloss that reflects the flash back to the camera. The spray overexposes the image of the number plate, rendering the picture unreadable.
The director of Photoblocker, Mike Meyer, stresses there is no law stating that "your licence plate needs to be photogenic". But the authorities disagree, and believe they are closing in on offenders.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Tlali Tlali has sent a stern warning to manufacturers and motorists who use these products that they face prosecution.
However, Meyer responds that "It's time for the responsible motorist to fight back. Wherever there are speed cameras, you are assured that law-abiding motorists are being exploited. Let's face it, we all creep over the speed limit from time to time. Get caught and you face a heavy fine.
"With the high crime rate in South Africa, one cannot be safe at a red robot at night. Many years back, a close friend of mine stopped at a red robot at night and was hijacked and killed. That's when I decided that something had to be done.
"I want to emphasise that this spray does not encourage speeding, but rather helps motorists who want to be safe without being afraid of getting fines."
In terms of the legalities of Photoblocker, Meyer says: "The relevant act is quite clear. [The regulation] 'no obstruction to viewership' is defined by the likes of mud, dirt or broken number plates, bicycles, trailers etc. Photoblocker is invisible and does not obstruct the view of one's licence plate as defined by the act.
"The law in most countries, including SA, requires your licence to be legible to the naked eye. The Photoblocker spray is undetectable, thus it is legal as there is no law stating it is illegal," adds Meyer.
However, Tlali says the National Prosecuting Authority is disturbed by those who "actively and wilfully make efforts to break the law".
"Those who use the product in a manner that seeks to avoid detection could face the common-law offence of attempting to defeat the ends of justice as well.
"While there may not be any known law that prohibits the use of the product, it cannot automatically be concluded that the use thereof is therefore sanctioned, if doing so amounts to violating other laws. We would sternly advise against the use of the product in order to avoid detection."
Tlali has also sent out a warning to the manufacturers of this product: "Those who are responsible for manufacturing the product for no legitimate use other than to break the law also run the risk of being investigated and possibly prosecuted."
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