A transparent aerosol varnish is the latest trick used by drivers to escape fines for traffic infractions, the Uruguayan News Agency (UyPress) said on Saturday.

The spray works by giving license plates a high-gloss finish so shiny that when traffic cameras snap a picture, the plate appears blank: no numbers, no ticket.

"A spray sold on the Internet claims it can make your license plate invisible to the (traffic) cameras," UyPress said, adding each can sells for 75 U.S. dollars.

Ever since traffic cameras were installed at intersections to automatically capture traffic violations, "there have been attempts to beat the technology and avoid the fines," UyPress recalled, noting one method called for "placing a CD in the windshield wipers."

Several U.S. online videos promote the use of the spray, not to get around the law, but to avoid being overly ticketed by the private companies that operate the traffic cameras and reportedly get a percentage for each fine.

source: Xinhua