Sister site Engadet has posted a report of a man busted for using an Opticon, a
device used by public safety like firefighters, to change streetlights to his advantage. He continued to do so for two
years until the Boys (and gals) in Blue noticed the pattern and tracked him down.
The man, Jason Niccum of
Longmont, Colorado was fined the princely sum of $50, which has got to strike the offender as value-for-the-dollar.
Niccum had purchased the Opticon for a $100 on eBay.
[Sources: CNN via Engadget; Getty Images]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vinny @ Apr 19th 2006 1:37PM
$100 for a device that changes red lights to green?! $50 fine!!??! Awesome! I'll pay that!
Ben @ Apr 19th 2006 2:10PM
Does he get to keep the device? ;)
Micah @ Apr 19th 2006 2:25PM
For real, $150 for not having to put up with traffic lights for 2 years?? Def. worth it.
Can someone make up a stupid mastercard commercial about this?
poconom35 @ Apr 19th 2006 2:56PM
how do you get caught doing this? sounds fishy to me.
bri @ Apr 19th 2006 2:57PM
I get charged $385 in CA for being a foot behind the limit line when the light changes red (either that or slam on brakes and end up halfway into intersection), and this guy gets fined $50 in CO for running would-be red lights daily on his commute for 2 straight years.
unbelievable
Peter W. @ Apr 19th 2006 3:21PM
Never heard a better argument for password-encoded transponders.
I can't wait until people with opticons start turning popular intersections into 4-way stops, the lights rotating so fast as to only let 5 cars through at a time.
Now that this douchebag couldn't be discreet, the device is becoming widely known and every other douchebag looking to save 20 minutes will probably wreck it for everybody else.
Ken @ Apr 19th 2006 3:35PM
Actually this technology could be used for the forces of good. Think of how many times you've been stuck at a light with no other car in sight. If they would allow everyday drivers to "vote" the light, and give emergency vehicles priority, I could see this helping troubled intersections.
hippie @ Apr 19th 2006 3:47PM
Mankind will never learn that once you invent a device that trumps all others, exclusivity will last a very short time.
We did it with nuclear weapons, biological agents, covert video and listening devices, on and on.
Why is it we're surprised and take exceptuion when somebody else (read Iran or this guy, take your pick) shows up with one?
Stoneman @ Apr 19th 2006 4:01PM
Wow, does this ever opitimize the MFFY attitude. Not only is this dangerous, but it also shows how selfish and irresponsible people can be. Why even have signal controlled intersections - lets just let people fight it out.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
s @ Apr 19th 2006 4:10PM
"Engadget" is spelled wrong(hyperlink) in first sentence.
I guess i would buy this device. Would only use in emergency.
Finished.Law.School @ Apr 19th 2006 4:36PM
His fine should have been MUCH higher.
Abhi @ Apr 19th 2006 5:36PM
What a deal!
Tom Design @ Apr 19th 2006 9:07PM
Awesome. I want one of these! How many times have you tried that telekinesis stuff? and, it never works.