Miami police have put the brakes on two accused scammers who peddled devices to motorists they claimed could smooth commutes by changing traffic lights from red to green.
Johnnie Greene and Lisa Moon, both of Miami, advertised on the Internet that their company, Computer Finance Group Inc., could provide “go boxes” that would let drivers avoid red lights, said federal prosecutors, who charged the two with mail and wire fraud.
They charged between $69 and $150, payable only by check, prosecutors said.
But instead of receiving devices, some buyers were mailed plans and instructions for constructing what amounted to a flashing light, prosecutors said. Others received nothing.
In some states, fire, paramedic and police vehicles are equipped with remote control devices that can change a traffic signal from red to green. They are used so emergency vehicles do not have to run red lights, risking an accident, when they are speeding to answer a call.
Maj. Ken Howes of the Florida Highway Patrol said he is unaware of any law that would prohibit Florida cars from being equipped with a go box, but it’s probably irrelevant because traffic lights in the state cannot be controlled by a vehicle.
