[shimshimhada]

Man ticketed for changing red lights

A Colorado man has been ticketed $50 for interfering with a traffic signal using a device called an Opticon, according to the Longmont Times-Call. Such devices can be obtained online for about $100 from auction sites like eBay. Technically, distributors of such devices are only allowed to sell them to emergency personnel such as volunteer firefighters. However, most online merchants make no effort to verify this. Jason Niccum told the newspaper that the device had “paid for itself” over two years by allowing him to get places faster. Niccum was caught March 29th when a law enforcement officer noticed the strobe-like device flashing from Niccum’s car. The city of Longmont plans to upgrade its traffic lights to prevent the use of such devices in the future. The upgrade will cost the city of 70,000 people $75,000. However, many cities across North America are still susceptible to the Opticon, and upgrading all the lights in larger cities would be extremely expensive and time-consuming.

that's awesome.

I'd only use it when the useless red lights come up though.

[bavarian19]

my next mod


Seriously, some lights you can get away with it by flashing your high beams quickly. Ive done that one before (when no one else is around obviously)

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

my next mod


Seriously, some lights you can get away with it by flashing your high beams quickly. Ive done that one before (when no one else is around obviously)

That's what I heard, but does that REALLY work? Or is it just in your head?

[timzerofive]

It doesn't work, saw a news magazine investigation on this a while ago. It's essentially something like strobe light. The guy did various test including the mounting position, angle, and also removed the protective cover the device came with. He tried many different types of intersection with all types of lights and the result was "inconclusive" because there were too few times that the device "appears" to work relative to the times he tried it.

As far as flashing the light goes... I do that all the time, but I don't think it works.

[nabutes]

I had an opticon for use in my township. It was part of my emergency services appointment. Also, each traffic light has to be programmed to accept the system key for each individual transponder...