Opticon-toting driver gets $50 fine for changing traffic light

We hate waiting for traffic lights to change as much the next driver (or pedestrian -- we have to cross streets, too, you know), but we doubt we'd ever try to take things into our own hands like Jason Niccum of Longmont, Colorado, did. Niccum picked up an Opticon -- an infrared light used by firefighters and other emergency responders to trigger traffic signals -- on eBay for about $100, and has been using it to cut his commuting time. That is, was using it, until local cops busted him after they noticed a consistent pattern of traffic-light disruptions at certain intersections. They nailed Niccum, and the town now plans to change the frequency used by traffic lights to block unauthorized signals (until, that is, someone comes out with a next-gen model). Niccum, despite getting stuck with a $50 fine, isn't exactly remorseful. "I guess in the two years I had it, that thing paid for itself," he told a local newspaper.

[Uno @ Apr 18th 2006 10:46AM]

I used to have one of those myself.. I need to get another one now that this reminded me of it.

[mark smith @ Apr 18th 2006 10:51AM]

this guy got luuuuucky. those things are a felony to even posess in most states.

[Jurgen @ Apr 18th 2006 10:52AM]

So... why not develop this into a voting system; all cars to be fitted with an anonymous but nombered (or so) opticon device and the street with most buttonpresses gets the green light first.
Of course; can be defrauded etc., think also of 'starvation' issues (to be solved from the algorithms of CPU scheduling), but would 'relieve' a crossing of the most pressing traffic.
Where am I heading... don't know so will stop now.

[Trevor @ Apr 18th 2006 10:56AM]

Wow, a Colorado story makes its way to Engadget! Does this mean you're going to do a reader meet up thing here? : )

[Mike @ Apr 18th 2006 11:06AM]

The traffic lights I've seen equipped with this have a sort of white flood light looking thing on it, so emergency vehicles know the light recognized their signal and they can proceed through the intersection. I would think it would be pretty obvious if someone was using it for other reasons. Any cop should know what that white light means.

[Jason @ Apr 18th 2006 11:16AM]

What an ass. $50 is a slap on the wrist, the fine for abusing the signal system for your own selfish reasons should be more like $1000 and 30 days in jail.

[Sam @ Apr 18th 2006 11:18AM]

Where can I get one? What? ebay? Coool~~~ ;)

[Alcaron @ Apr 18th 2006 11:29AM]

This guy is a douchebag and so are all the people saying "oh I need to get one!".

Seriosuly, I've seen accidents caused by these stupid things.

Don't be an a-hole. I drive a 350Z with a lead foot and I HATE waiting at stoplights, but even I am not a big enough douchebag to use one of these. We have traffic lights for a reason and regardless of how self-centered you are your time is NOT worth more than everyone elses.

WAIT YOUR DAMNED TURN.

Such a basic level of common human decency and theres people who are not even capable of THAT trifling amount.

[Big Sam @ Apr 18th 2006 11:33AM]

He got off very easy. I seem to recall the punishment being a lot more steep in other areas. If I were him I wouldn't be bragging to the press about it.

[Malatesta @ Apr 18th 2006 11:38AM]

I'm going to buy one right now just to spite Alcaron. Thanks for inspiring me.

Out of the way...douchebag coming through!

[weatherman @ Apr 18th 2006 11:41AM]

I agree with Alcaron. That guy got off way too light in my opinion. Should have sent him to jail for 10 days to teach him a lesson.

[350Zsucks @ Apr 18th 2006 11:42AM]

Alcaron, (poster no. 7)

What does the piece of crap 350Z you own have anything to do with this story. Are you saying that because you have a 350z and you like to drive with a "lead" foot, that you can almost justify buying one of these opticon?

Here is a reality check, living in your parents' basement and make lease payments on a 350z doesn't make you cool. Stick to the story next time, don't need to brag about a crappy car that a Tacoma S-runner can out handle your azz.

You, too, are a douchebag.

[DacmonJ @ Apr 18th 2006 11:48AM]

350ZSucks,

Like your comments were a real contribution. At least the other guy commented on the story.

Azzzz.

[furtim @ Apr 18th 2006 11:48AM]

Quite right, Alcaron. Using something like this just to cut down your daily commute is reckless and puts other people in danger. Shaving a minute off your daily drive isn't worth injuring or possibly killing somebody, and if you're too self-centered to care about that, consider that for all you know it might be YOU who gets whacked.

[aeo @ Apr 18th 2006 11:53AM]

The real pisser here is the fact that cities no longer seem to give a crap about timing the lights to give a better commute to high-traffic corridors. I've been stopped way too many times by unsynchronized signals for no apparent reason (ie - nobody waiting at the opposing signals). Screw the cities and screw the crap light systems. Maybe I'm in the minority in this but that shouldn't be the case... You should all be pissed about waiting in traffic for no reason.

[JCA @ Apr 18th 2006 11:53AM]

Alcaron.....you've been pwned beeeyotch! Hahahaha

[duerra @ Apr 18th 2006 11:54AM]

Three words: Public Key Cryptography

[mr. mario @ Apr 18th 2006 11:59AM]

You mean i can selfishly speed up my commute, endanger other peoples lives, use up the emergency frequencies and maybe cause the government to spend a crapload of money in switching the frequencies so that people like me wont interfere? Awesome where do I sign up?

what a bunch of selfish tools!

This guy should have been imprisoned. Who was the judge on this case, what a waste of tax payer money just so that this guy could get a $50 ticket.

[ian @ Apr 18th 2006 11:59AM]

350Z sucks, what are you trying to say? "I'm an idiot, I think a toyota pickup is going to outperform a 300hp Nissan sportscar" I've never been in an S-Runner, but I have a 350z, and I wouldn't let any tacoma race me for fear the poor sob would roll it. Maybe someday when you get a job and move out ya mom's house you'll get some perspective on the real world.
(BTW able to afford my 350z on top of my rent and bills, thank you)

Die troll, die.

[Sam @ Apr 18th 2006 12:16PM]

Wow, I was just kidding about try to get one. I think that guy should go to jail for that. He could easily cause accident and kill someone on the road.

350z is a cool car, I like that car too. ;)

[Ryan @ Apr 18th 2006 12:16PM]

the 350z is a BLATANT RIP OFF of the AUDI TT COUPE.
NISSAN CAN'T even come with their own design!
Its shocking that people actually buy them, of course women buy knockoff purses too...

[Spectral Flagellum @ Apr 18th 2006 12:17PM]

Fuel for the fire;

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4022377

Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager, told the assembled journalists that the Nissan 350Z sports car was used as the benchmark of performance and handling for this truck.

Powering the X-Runner is a 240-horsepower V6 engine; however, a factory installed and warranted supercharger system can boost power to around 300, pushing this truck to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Handling is also impressive�Toyota claims the X-Runner can hold the road in excess of .9 g of lateral acceleration.

[theattack @ Apr 18th 2006 12:21PM]

does the 350Z come with wifi and uncrippled bluetooth?

[diulei @ Apr 18th 2006 12:29PM]

21: You could also make the argument that the Audi TT's are just copies of a Porsche. Hardly anyone these days makes original designs in the automotive industry (or any other industry for that matter) - most things are just derivative and variations of successful models.

[William C Bonner @ Apr 18th 2006 12:30PM]

He got a $50 fine, and the taxpayers may have to pay to change the frequency on all of the emergency vehicles? Where's the logic in that?

[Hannah @ Apr 18th 2006 12:30PM]

That guy's a total a-hole and he got off way too easy. Opticons are for emergency vehicles that need to get through fast for a good reason - not to satisfy a person's lack of patience or make up for poor time management skills or something like that.

And, as others have pointed out, misuse of the opticon is a potential safety hazard. The cops should've suspended or revoked that guy's license.

[timofei @ Apr 18th 2006 12:32PM]

how did he get caught? Cops can't pull you over and search your car for no reason. The city engineers can pull him over, so I am just wondering what made or gave the police the right to pull over or search his car?

[William C Bonner @ Apr 18th 2006 12:36PM]

1. During business hours, (say 5am to 7pm) sities should do a much better job of synchronizing traffic lights to improve efficiency. That includes noise, and exhaust, as well.

2. Sensors are a pain, but useful. They are more of a pain if you are on a motorcycle where you have to be in exactly the right place to trigger them. Here in Seattle, most sensors have a large X painted (with the same white paint as the normal lines) that someone taught me to stop with my front wheel on the center of the X and it puts your bike in the the right spot for the sensor. It usually seems to work, but I'm not sure if it is true or superstition.

[Alcaron @ Apr 18th 2006 12:38PM]

Oh hell, why not...this is from the aforementioned link.

"The X-Runner will ride one inch lower than a standard Tacoma, and features a reinforced frame, firmer springs, specially tuned shocks and 18-inch wheels with V-rated performance tires. Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager, told the assembled journalists that the Nissan 350Z sports car was used as the benchmark of performance and handling for this truck."

So...yeah...a toyota VP says the 287hp Z was used as the benchmark for their 240hp pickup...and you believe it.

Ooooooooook, interested in a bridge? I've got a once in a lifetime opportunity!!!!

[Clay @ Apr 18th 2006 12:39PM]

50 bucks? That guy's probably still laughing.

[I'm With Stupid @ Apr 18th 2006 12:39PM]

"This guy is a douchebag and so are all the people saying "oh I need to get one!".

Seriosuly, I've seen accidents caused by these stupid things.

Don't be an a-hole. I drive a 350Z with a lead foot and I HATE waiting at stoplights, but even I am not a big enough douchebag to use one of these. We have traffic lights for a reason and regardless of how self-centered you are your time is NOT worth more than everyone elses.

WAIT YOUR DAMNED TURN.

Such a basic level of common human decency and theres people who are not even capable of THAT trifling amount."

Preach on, brotha! And if anyone tries to point out that a-hole, douchebags leadfooting in their sports cars kill far more people per year than these things, you just flip them off and put the petal to the metal.

[DacmonJ @ Apr 18th 2006 12:39PM]

zero-to-thread-derailed in 30 seconds.

[Alcaron @ Apr 18th 2006 12:43PM]

lol 350Zsucks

Uh, ok, I don't really care what you think about my car, the point was I drive a sports coupe and I like to drive fast, hence, driving slow and waiting at stoplights isnt exactly pleasing to me.

You do realize this is a story about avoiding stoplights right?

Thats it. I like my car, I dont care if you, hysterically, think a tacoma can outhandle my car (lol, no really I DID laugh at that).

The simple fact of the matter is I did everything but draw it in crayon for your dumb ass that the only reason its pertinent is because it gives you a background that even though I HATE waiting at stop lights, it doesnt justify the use of this kind of thing.

Next time I will whip out the crayolas for you.

And for JCA, the fact that you think that was me getting "pwned" is a sad bit of commentary about yourself.

Anyway, for anyone to dense to grasp it...THIS ISNT ABOUT WHAT CAR I DRIVE, jesus...I dont care about a dumb MSN auto article (theres a reliable source for ya), or anything else. It has NOTHING to do with this article. The only reason it came up was to simply give the example that I HATE WAITING but even that does not justify what this guy did. Thats it, finito, period, if you dont like my car, fine, I dont care, last time I looked I pay the LOAN (not lease) and for the record, children, I have not lived with my parents for a VERY long time. I earn what I have. And I STILL dont think any of it entitles me or ANYONE else to use these things like this.

Now grow up.

[peacemaker @ Apr 18th 2006 12:44PM]

350zsucks (poster no.12), you need to read a little better, what alcaron was saying was that while he too owns a sports car and likes to drive fast, he would never be so inconsiderate as to use one of those devices. And you see it was appropriate for him to mention his car because he wanted to show that he wasn't some old guy ranting at people who like to drive fast; he was in fact a guy who likes to drive fast.

brought to you by The Peacemaker (TM)

[TrafficGeek @ Apr 18th 2006 12:44PM]

What most people don't know is that every time a signal gets a call from these devices, it 'locks out' other calls for two to three cycles of the signal. That's where the real problem is, if a guy like this triggers a call and shortly after an ambulance or a fire truck comes charging through, at best they'll get delayed. If you're the one waiting for the EMT...I can guarantee you'll feel different toward this person. At worst, one of you lead foot come charging through the intersection and nail these EMT folks�well, 'nuff said

[Tonezilla @ Apr 18th 2006 12:45PM]

I think some of you are misinformed. These devices, also known as MIRTs (Mobile Infrared Transmitters), do not cause accidents. They naturally trigger the light change cycle. This means, when the device is used, it slowly triggers a yellow then red light for the opposing traffic. Then the turn and the straight ahead green are given for your direction about five full seconds later. No accident can be caused and no lives are ever in danger. The only way an accident or injury can occur is if he decides not to wait for the full change of the light and goes anyway. In that case, the MIRT is not the problem. The driver is because he would have ran the red light with or without the MIRT.

This device in civilian hands is illegal and selfish. That said, I believe more power to him, and all of you who aspire to cheat the system. Good show. I believe there are more pressing problems in the world that demand our attention more than this. Also with jail overcrowding and the botched legal system, jail time for this offense is not warranted. Confiscation and fine seem fair.

I myself am a firefighter that has used this device in the past and present. I will continue to use it on the job and off the job for myself. I do not use it when I see another emergency vehicle coming in the other direction. But I see no harm, except for other angry drivers, in using it. And for the city tracking its use at lights with the traffic cameras, this is a ploy by the media to curb unauthorized MIRT use. The amount of footage to be watched and man hours used in order to track a specific vehicle and MIRT use over any extended path would not be cost efficient. I am positive from talking to my chief, that they caught him another way.

My guess is that the police randomly and luckily caught him red handed and he got careless. So for all you aspiring �cheats of the system�, play on. And to help you out a little in your journey, here is my contribution.

http://alphanet.zoovy.com/product/MIRTSTEALTH

This company sells the stealth MIRT that can be mounted in a fog light receptacle in your front bumper with the switch inside the vehicle. $399 is steep, but you get a warranty and they are loose on selling it. They only require that you affirm by checking a box that you are authorized to own this product.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope this post has been the high �light� of your day.

[Rich @ Apr 18th 2006 12:46PM]

Probable cause :) Atleast here in Washington, that's what they say anytime they want to do anything to you. It's hard to prove they didnt have probable cause...

[Jack @ Apr 18th 2006 12:52PM]

Most lights in my city have sensors that know how many cars pull up to the intersections and time the lights accordingly...pretty easy physics; put a loop of wire in the ground and a current gets induced when an iron engine block moves over it...send the current the traffic light, and the light changes from red to green...

Does the thing that guy was using have the lights go yellow first? If they do, then it lowers the risk factor of endangering other people (unless they themselves act risky and run the yellows fast). However, I agree that they should be totally illegal to the public, we have traffic patters for a reason and while some traffic lights still have terrible timing, I'd say that most of them are being fixed in due (if a little slow) time.

And guys, stop whining about your cars...nobody really cares what you drive.

Oh, and I think if the guy got off with a $50 ticket, then good for him, he got lucky. But I'd never try it again, and I'm pretty sure he won't after all this either...

[Jerome @ Apr 18th 2006 12:59PM]

I live in CO and I saw this story on the news.
Yea he is getting fined and the city of Longmont is probably going to pay $75,000 to change out thier system. He probably should have gotten a way worser penalty.
And anyone who says hey that a good idea, I am going to buy one and do that. Good Luck, most cities that have more than 10 stoplights in them have enough money to have upgraded thier light changing system to not work with this kind of thing a long time ago.

[Eli @ Apr 18th 2006 1:05PM]

That man is my hero. Along with everyone else who uses those.

Most lights around here are poorly timed and horribly synched with each other. Using something like that wouldn't hort the already crummy system. Unfair advantages are the spice of life!

[Jay Kothari @ Apr 18th 2006 1:09PM]

I think post #3 (Jurgen) has been reading a bit too much of Silerbschatz/Galvin/Gagne...

Parts of Philadelphia have timed signal lights, so if you wait at one signal light, you're likely to get the rest that follow on that street. The only time (ideally) you'd have to wait is when merging to another street, or taking a turn. In the suburbs around here where traffic is sparse, they have a trigger system that responds to the traffic.

[Alcaron @ Apr 18th 2006 1:15PM]

#30

I do speed, but I try to be as responsible as I can about it. There is a BIG difference between people who speed like I do (i.e. I only REALLY speed when I'm out late at night on the interstate, we are talking 2 am with NOBODY else around and almost NEVER on non-interstate roads) and people who speed and DRIVE RECKLESSLY, i.e. people who weave in and out of traffic, run red light, stop signs, etc.

The point being. I like to drive fast, sadly there are NO tracks around here other than drag strips (BOOOOORING), but even then I make a VERY concerted effort NOT to let my desire to risk my OWN well-being override the fact that other people are entitled to their safety.

Thats why I make special trips late at night JUST for the sake of driving fast. Because I know I can do it without risking anyones life but my own. I also do not EVER run red lights or stop signs, I ALWAYS use my blinker. I practice PROPER lane discipline, and try to be as aware a driver as I can be, even when I'm NOT driving fast.

Me saying "I have a lead foot" doesn't mean I drive like an a-hole non-stop! It means I enjoy it, but as with waiting at stop lights, I don't just ignore the safety and welfare of everyone around me.

Thats really what this is about. Some douchebag who thinks shaving some time off his daily drive is worth the risk, and yes, it IS a risk. It DOES cycle through yellows but it does so in a very unnatural order. If you can't see why a two second green light might cause some confusion or problems (ever gone through an intersection behind a semi...you can't see the light until you are IN the intersection) I don't know what to tell you.

[Joshua Stein @ Apr 18th 2006 1:16PM]

I always thought that the Audi TT looked like someone squished a VW Beetle.

Think about it.

[FYI @ Apr 18th 2006 1:30PM]

"This device in civilian hands is illegal and selfish."
"I myself am a firefighter that has used this device in the past and present. I will continue to use it on the job and off the job for myself." - Tonezilla

It's illegal AND selfish for you to use it also...UNLESS you are ON the JOB, dont get your JOB perks confused with legal actions. Sure you can use it and if you get caught you may not get in much trouble, but YES it IS illegal for you to use for your own PERSONAL use.

[Wry Cooter @ Apr 18th 2006 1:30PM]

How he got caught?

They noticed the traffic lights changing out of sequence during rush hour.

They staked out those intersections. Could be done with one or 2 cops, but maybe three. One to identify, one to verify, one to pull over.

[Thesaurus @ Apr 18th 2006 1:38PM]

Douchebag has been used 6 times (now 7)... It's time to branch out and use new words. How about peckerwood?

[PorradaVFR @ Apr 18th 2006 1:39PM]

I think the $50 fine was entirely appropriate.

...if it had been $50 PER violation! They should use his own claims of using it for two years to calculate the fine and then have him do some public service cleaning roads DURING rush hour. What a selfish tool.

[Ryan @ Apr 18th 2006 1:49PM]

#24 Audi Porche VW are all one company and share similar designers.

[azazel @ Apr 18th 2006 1:49PM]

did anyone think to blame the twit who apparently stole it from his job in the first just to sell it on e-bay.
there are multiple offenses here - like my motorcycle can out run all of you a-holes -
_________later

[Richard @ Apr 18th 2006 1:58PM]

So Alcaron likes to drive with a lead foot, eh?
So basically he's saying he likes to speed.

Wow, I'd say that's putting a hell of a lot more lives at risk than a stoplight changing device.

You, sir, are a tool.