Anti-speed camera council leader was banned

Swindon Borough Council have been all over the news like a rash today. They have been making rumblings about getting rid of speed cameras - the final decision is to be taken in September.

The BBC pointed out that the fact that the council no longer receives revenues from the cameras (such funds have recently been re-directed to Westminster) appears to be a motivation behind the considered move.

Now the Press Association reports that the council's leader was once banned from driving for speeding:

Roderick Bluh, the leader of the Conservative-controlled council, was banned for three months after he collected 12 penalty points on his licence for speeding.

Mr Bluh said the ban, which was imposed before he became Swindon Council leader in 2006, had changed his behaviour but said there were other ways to improve people's driving.

"I was banned for three months. It has affected my behaviour," he said.

"But all cameras do is catch you when you have speeded."

I am finding that last sentence difficult to assimilate. "All cameras do is catch you when you have speeded." But if they are not there, they don't catch you - do they? Is Mr Bluh saying that is good?

He appears to be arguing that speed cameras are not a deterrent. Well, in his case, it seems to be true. To rack up 12 points takes some doing.

Is he in the right job? He's in charge of a council, part of whose remit is to improve road safety. It seems fair to ask whether he actually has a clue about road safety. Indeed, based his record, one might ask if he has an appropriate respect for road safety.