There has been a reported surge in Brits driving dangerously and making themselves invisible to speed and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Those responsible are using "ghost" or "stealth" number plates.
Labour Party politician and West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes said: "This is a serious criminal issue.
"And at the moment, the penalties for covering up your number plate or changing it in some way is less than what you'd get for a speeding ticket."
Are These Number Plates Even LEGAL?!? 👻 (GHOST Plate Controversy!) pic.twitter.com/9X9VdA06pl
— Utopia Plates (@UtopiaPlates) January 29, 2025
What are ghost number plates?
Ghost plates use reflective materials or specific designs to confuse camera detection systems.
They can also be tampered with to make it difficult for software to recognize the numbers and letters.
The reflective materials can obscure plate details under infrared light, while physical tampering disrupts the software’s ability to recognise numbers and letters accurately.
Ms Coombes continued: "I know that most drivers in West Brom are just trying to get to work or drop their kids off at school. They are safe and careful drivers. But there are a select minority of people who think they are above the law.
"They think that by using a ghost plate they can get away with running red lights, drunk driving, ignoring speed limits and much, much worse. It can't be right that these drivers are not being caught by police for creating so much danger on our roads. The punishments need to be tougher."
According to the RAC Foundation, approximately one in 12 number plates is either obscured or damaged, which can significantly hinder ANPR accuracy.
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As per Birmingham Live, Coombes added: "ANPR and the humble number plate is hot-wired into the UK's road safety.
"If people think, by doctoring their plates, they can speed, drive without due care or without insurance to evade prosecution - then we need to remove this temptation.
"Innocent members of the public are being put at risk."
The use of ghost plates isn’t just about avoiding minor infractions like speeding tickets.
Criminals use them to evade tolls, dodge congestion charges and obscure their movements from law enforcement.
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