Watch the birdie

Transport 2000 is coming out in favour of speed cameras. This is a Good Thing™. Not that I particularly like the things, or am a fan of Transport 2000, but with the press so rabidly against speed cameras there should be some balance.

The main argument against seems to be that cameras don’t seem to be placed near accident black spots, but on wide open roads where speeding a little is unlikely to cause harm. I have some sympathy with this argument as it is not just dishonest, but a blatant disregard for the laws on regulations surrounding these devices.

However looking at it from another angle; what’s wrong with seeking to raise money from lawbreakers? Revenue to run our public services has to come from somewhere, is it not better to “tax” sin a little, rather than always taxing goods, services and income?

Speeding is demonstrably illegal activity, and can be dangerous. If we carelessly neglect to check the dial on the dashboard often enough we should hold out our wrists, take the slap and the fine, and hope it teaches us to pay better attention in future.