Speed cameras - more BBC misreporting

BBC TV news this morning wrongly said that Swindon had 'removed its speed cameras'. It didn't. They're still there, but not switched on (see picture here). The BBC couldn't be bothered to do even basic research. There's a big difference between removing cameras and switching them off - if they're still there with the tell-tale 'ruler markings' on the carriageway, they still act as a deterrent to speeding.

However, the BBC also reports that Oxfordshire is going to switch off its 72 speed cameras.

This will at least result in a more realistic trial than Swindon, which switched off 6 speed cameras. As Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "This is another example of this government delivering on its pledge to end the war on the motorist." Quite right too. It's good to know that this policy is being led by such victims of the war as Swindon Borough Council's Rod Bluh, who said "As somebody who has been banned for speeding, I take speeding very seriously." (source) Speeding in Swindon went up during the trial, so we can look forward to motorists in Oxfordshire getting to their destinations much quicker. If a few people have to die, that's a price worth paying.

I think it's time we started a charity for the victims of the war against the motorist. These poor people, like victims of the Iraq and Afghan wars, deserve our sympathy. They probably suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after getting a £60 speeding ticket. I'm sick and tired of hearing about these moaning minnies complaining about being 'hit' by 'speeding' drivers who are merely asserting their basic human right of freedom of movement. We live in a compensation-culture nanny state where drivers are expected to pay for the fact that someone got injured by their own stupidity. They should've stayed indoors, or in a car, where it's much safer.