Ref. 74298-10A COUNCILLOR who could lose his driving licence for speeding has called for more common sense in the punishments given to drivers.

Coun Roderick Bluh (Con, Dorcan), who has been caught by speed cameras four times in three years, says the number of speed cameras means drivers have to constantly look at their speedometers.

And the councillor, who is disabled as a result of a car crash, says he would prefer to look at the road to avoid accidents.

"It comes down to where you are, the conditions of the road and common sense," he said.

"I think perhaps the points should be for excessive speed.

"I am sensitive to speed but it doesn't make me perfect."

Coun Bluh of Clifton Street, Old Town, says he was first caught speeding in January 2002 going 39mph in a 30mph zone.

Then in November 2003 he was caught by a mobile camera at Coate Water going 55 or 56mph in a 50mph zone.

In February this year in Bath he was caught going just above a 50mph limit overtaking a lorry that had pulled out in front of him. Then a similar scenario in Wales in September meant Coun Bluh was caught, again by a camera, going 38mph in a 30mph zone.

Coun Bluh now faces having 12 points on his licence, which means he could face a driving ban, although he has not yet been given a court date for the latest offence.

"I am not sure I think the points are reasonable in the circumstances," he said.

"I think a lot of people are finding it difficult, particularly with the mobile cameras. You go over the top and people start to get resentful.

"In this day and age either you are looking at the speedometer or you are looking at the road.

"I would prefer to look at the road and make sure I don't have an accident.

"I hit a juggernaut head-on and that leaves you with scars for the rest of your life."

The collision in 1996 left him with a serious back injury. He has had two operations on his back since.

"I don't speed," he said. "I realise that it is a problem. If we had been travelling at a high speed when we hit the lorry I wouldn't be here now.

"I accept that I have done wrong and I am happy to face the consequences.

"If I am going to have a ban I hope it will only be a short one, particularly as I can't walk very well. I also need to get about for work and my council work. But I am not going to try to lay on the sympathy."

Dave Frampton, of the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership, could not comment on individual cases but said reducing speeding punishments would send out the wrong message.

"The Department of Transport is considering graded penalties but this partnership actually thinks that sends the wrong message, particularly in a 30mph zone," he said.

Isabel Field