Note to wife:
You asked why so many license plates have the desert image in the background whited out. In our travels around the country, we’ve noticed this seems to be mostly an Arizona phenomenon.
By law, the numbers on a license plate must be readable so police on the road can identify a vehicle. But what about automated traffic cameras? The theory is to make the plate super-reflective so cameras can’t photograph the numbers. When your vehicle can’t be identified, you won’t get a ticket for speeding or running a red light.
However, sprays, films and other license plate covers sold to block traffic cameras from working are generally ineffective. All these drivers are doing is calling attention to the fact that they’re trying to cheat.