Bomb scare points police to speed camera scam
A bomb scare led Taiwanese police to discover why so few motorists were caught speeding.
Officers discovered speed camera detectors, which send signals to drivers warning of speed cameras and detectors ahead.
One was mistaken for a bomb and a sweep of Taipei found more transmitters attached to trees, street lamps and walls.
The transmitters have also been found on electricity poles, rain shelters and even in cracks in walls.
"These anti-speed-detecting sensors are put up by illegal suppliers who want to boost the effectiveness of those sensors they have already sold to motorists," a police officer said.
"The transmitters pick up signals from the police detectors and send them to the sensors installed in the cars of drivers who like speeding.
"When a speeding driver hears a beeping sound, he would slow down just before the anti-speed camera could catch him and have him booked for speeding."
New laws will fine those caught with the sensors in their car along with a month's driving ban.
