Illegal Speed Camera Spray Causes Controversy

A new spray designed by Flashtec, an Essex based company to disguise your number plate from speed cameras has been at the centre of a row this week.

The spray that is being marketed in the UK is designed for application directly to the number plate of your vehicle. This spray then leaves a reflective coating on your number plate that is invisible to the naked eye but will reflect a flash from speed cameras.

The principle behind the spray is that the coating can reflect the light produced from the flash of a speed camera leaving the number plate blank upon development of the picture. This ultimately means that when the picture is developed the police don't have enough details on the vehicle to proceed with issuing fines and penalty points which can increase young driver car insurance premiums.

The police and the DVLA have blasted Flashtec for producing and marketing the spray in the fashion they have. The authorities believe that by marketing the product Flashtec are being very irresponsible and may be breaking rules by encouraging motorists to use an illegal product. Flashtec have responded by claiming that they are supplying a product that offers "protection from money making devices" and took legal advice before marketing the product to check all legal aspects. The DVLA have announced that they will be reporting the company to the trading standards.

Whatever the outcome from trading standards it should be noted that before you try to avoid speeding fines, penalty points and an increase in your young driver car insurance policy via the use of Flashtec's spray the product is illegal to use. Being caught using products or devices that prohibit the function of speed cameras by hiding your number plate can result in heavy fines upwards of £1000.