Motorists across the UK are using reflective “ghost plates” to trick ANPR systems and avoid fines for speeding and low-emission zone charges, prompting councils like Wolverhampton to deploy advanced cameras and impose £100 fines to combat this growing problem.
Motorists across the UK are increasingly employing illegal “ghost plates” to evade detection by speed cameras and bus lane enforcement technology, according to warnings from council officials and traffic experts. These so-called ghost plates are reflective number plates designed to thwart Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems by reflecting camera flashes and rendering the plates unreadable.
The phenomenon, also known as the use of 3D or 4D plates, has allowed drivers to circumvent traffic enforcement measures, including fines for speeding and charges for entering low-emission zones. Wolverhampton City Council, among others, has responded by deploying advanced camera technology that can detect these elusive plates more effectively as part of more stringent enforcement efforts initiated last year.
Statistics shared by Professor Fraser Sampson, who formerly oversaw the UK’s national ANPR system, reveal the scale of the issue. Approximately one in every 15 drivers reportedly uses methods to trick the ANPR system. This widespread evasion is facilitated through various means, such as cloning number plates, applying reflective tape, or purchasing so-called stealth plates from online vendors, rendering vehicles effectively “invisible” to cameras.
In a letter addressed to Transport Secretary Mark Harper upon his departure from the role, Professor Sampson underscored the significant challenges facing ANPR technology. He highlighted that despite its advancements, the system still hinges on a standard plastic vehicle registration plate, which is vulnerable due to a largely unregulated market for plates.
“The humble number plate represents a single and readily assailable point of failure,” Professor Sampson wrote. “The ANPR network is easily defeated by the manufacture and sale of stealth plates, cloned registration marks and other rudimentary obscurant tactics.” He also warned that the incentives for motorists to exploit these vulnerabilities are rising, especially as traffic enforcement mechanisms such as emission zones become more widespread.
The professor also disclosed the sheer volume of ANPR data processed daily, with as many as 80 million reads from around 15,400 traffic lanes. The system’s accuracy stands at 97%, meaning an estimated 2.4 million incorrect readings occur each day, sometimes causing wrongful fines. Professor Sampson anticipates the number of reads could reach 100 million per day by the end of 2024.
Local authorities have introduced fines of £100 for motorists caught using ghost plates. In Wolverhampton, enforcement officers have been equipped with new camera technology capable of countering the reflective plates as part of an ongoing crackdown on these illegal practices.
The Wales Online report emphasises concerns over the increased dependence on ANPR systems in policing, law enforcement, and traffic management, which may be undermined by widespread use of such evasion tactics. The issue demonstrates continuing challenges in balancing technological enforcement with the evolving methods used by some drivers to avoid detection.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K7Yf6p3Dp4 – Documents criminal use of ghost plates starting at £30 to evade speed cameras and ULEZ enforcement.
- https://business.itn.co.uk/ghost-plates-how-motorists-are-exploiting-anpr-vulnerabilities-and-the-tech-fighting-back/ – Details methods like reflective sprays and films to defeat ANPR, and proposed £5,000 fines for offenders.
- https://www.utopiaplates.co.uk/blog/debunking-the-myths-about-ghost-number-plates/ – Defines ghost plates as infrared-evading plates, corroborating their design to bypass camera systems.
- https://news.sky.com/story/mp-demands-clampdown-on-ghost-number-plates-13316814 – Confirms MPs seek £1,000 fines and 6 penalty points, with current £100 penalties being insufficient deterrents.
- https://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news/enforcement/uk-mp-calls-for-crackdown-on-ghost-plates-as-mav-launches-solution.html – Highlights 1 in 15 motorists using evasion tactics and advanced MAV ANPR technology to detect ghost plates.
- https://www.utopiaplates.co.uk/blog/debunking-the-myths-about-ghost-number-plates/ – Reiterates the technical definition and media portrayal of ghost plates as tools to thwart infrared cameras.
- https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/drivers-making-cars-invisible-speed-31504845 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references ongoing challenges and recent enforcement efforts, indicating that the issue remains current. However, specific data or events that might tie it to recent news cycles are not explicitly mentioned.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quote from Professor Fraser Sampson does not have a clear earliest known reference online. While this might indicate originality, there is no verification of its origin.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Wales Online, which is a well-established publication, but less widely known than major national outlets like the BBC or Financial Times.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The issue of drivers using illegal tactics to evade detection is plausible given the context of evolving technology and enforcement strategies. There is credible evidence from officials and experts supporting these claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is supported by plausible claims and originates from a known publication. While the quotes lack verification of originality, and the freshness is high but lacks specific recent events, overall reliability and plausibility suggest the narrative is credible.
