By The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- A state lawmaker wants to increase penalties for buying or selling a device that can change traffic lights to green.
The devices are normally used by firefighters and police to clear the road when heading to emergencies. But some impatient motorists have managed to purchase them on the Internet.
“For the average person to have it is ludicrous,” said state Sen. Tom Wyss, a Republican from Fort Wayne and chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.
Wyss says a $10,000 fine and jail time might be appropriate. Under existing law, violators can be fined $500.
The man who manufactures the device also wants to keep it out of unauthorized hands. He has offered to help lawmakers tighten laws against consumers owning his or similar products.
“I’m all for enhancing the penalties and making it very clear ... this technology is not to be used by the individual,” said Tim Gow, president of FAC of America, a Fridley, Minn., company that sells equipment to law enforcement and other agencies.
Gow’s machine -- called MIRT, for mobile infrared transmitter -- and others like it send an infrared pulse to specially equipped traffic signals, either holding the green light or triggering the cycle to turn on the green light early so emergency vehicles can pass.
Personal use of the transmitters is not against federal law. Federal highway officials do not believe enough of the devices will end up in cars to cause serious problems with traffic.
Gow’s company began selling the device in January as a less expensive version for cash-strapped cities and states. MIRT costs $489, about half the competitors’ prices.
Safety officials in several states have complained that impatient drivers might buy the machines off the Internet.
Some devices, including MIRT, have turned up on Internet auction sites, including eBay. In response, Gow has assigned an employee to monitor eBay and other online auction houses full time. And eBay bans access to ads until they can be deleted.
Before a device is shipped to the verified address of a police department or other public-service agency, FAC runs a criminal background check on the customer.
Buyers also sign a contract saying they are authorized and will comply with local, state and federal laws when using the device.
The MIRT Web site lists other potential customers, including private detectives, doctors and funeral directors. Gow defends the list, saying he will ship only to users who can prove authorization.
Several fire and police officials want authorization to be restricted to those departments. “Firetrucks are the only ones that should have it,” State Fire Marshal Tracy Boatwright said.