Maryland youths faking out traffic cameras

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Some teenage drivers in Maryland are covering their car license plates with numbers belonging to teachers and others to fake out traffic cameras, a parent says.

The DailyTech Web site reported Monday the unidentified parent told the Montgomery County Sentinel a few young drivers in the county print authentic-looking numbers on glossy paper and tape them over their plates. They then race past the traffic cameras, which record the infraction and produce citations based on the fraudulent plate numbers.

They call the prank "pimping," the parent told the newspaper, and teachers and fellow students are the most popular targets.

"This game is very disturbing," the parent said. "Especially since unsuspecting parents will also be victimized through receipt of unwarranted photo speed tickets."

Montgomery Country police and education officials said it was a new one on them but told the Sentinel they would keep an eye out for violators.

"It is unfortunate that kids have a lot of time on their hands that they can think of doing such a thing," said Edward Owusu, an assistant principal at Wootton High School, where the prank allegedly started.