Italian drivers were mad that smart traffic lights caught them in the middle of intersections when the lights turned red. Now it has been discovered that the lights were rigged by the company developing them to turn from amber to red in three seconds instead of the required five or six seconds.

In the last three years, it is estimated over one million Italian drivers were snared in the fines that gave a financial windfall to over 300 municipalities and a handful of private companies. Municipalities enjoyed a 300% increase in fines with the bogus light system.

The rigged lights were discovered when a police chief became alarmed at the number of citations given for jumping red lights. He personally investigated and discovered the shortened time span before the lights turned red.

The engineer responsible for developing the lighting system has been arrested. Over 100 others, including 63 police officers are also under investigation.

Municipalities throughout Italy are now embroiled in processing thousands of claims for the illegal citations.