Mayor who introduced 'completely moronic' 20mph speed limit caught SPEEDING
A MAYOR who introduced a "completely moronic" 20mph speed limit has apologised after being caught red-handed and prosecuted for SPEEDING.
George Ferguson, 67, has spent more than £2.3million of taxpayers' money on thousands of 20mph speed limit signs placed around Bristol.
He was caught speeding five miles over the limit in a 30mph zone on the edge of the Somerset city by a mobile speed camera last month.
Mr Ferguson, who usually travels on a bike or an electric Smart car, was at the wheel of a council fleet car when he was caught driving over the limit.
The Bristol mayor said he had made a "stupid" and "inexcusable" mistake and would be paying a £100 fine for the offence immediately.
Mr Ferguson said: "I am shocked to have just discovered I exceeded the speed limit on the Portway last month.
"This was an inexcusable mistake on my part on one of the rare occasions when I have had to use a council fleet car.
"I am only too aware of the dangers of exceeding speed limits and commend the Avon and Somerset police for their vigilance.
I made a stupid mistake. I'm sorry. I make no excuse at all and I shall pay the fine and in my position I probably pay a lot more in reality
"It serves as a sharp warning to me and I have blemished an otherwise clean licence and shall be paying the penalty charge willingly from my own pocket."
Mr Ferguson, who was elected in November and is serving a three-and-a-half year term, was caught speeding on the A4 Portway on January 8 2015.
He helped spearhead the 20mph speed limits which were rolled out across Bristol following a pilot scheme in July 2012.
Every street in the city, excluding dual carriageways as well as 40mph and 50mph zones, are being considered for the tough 20mph speed limit.
Mr Ferguson added: "It is right that speed limits are there for a good purpose. We should respect them. I do respect them.
"I made a stupid mistake. I'm sorry. I make no excuse at all and I shall pay the fine and in my position I probably pay a lot more in reality."
Last month it emerged that 6,204 20mph speed limit signs have been installed in Britsol with another 7,160 set to be erected in the near future.
Motoring groups and councillors have criticised the plans as an "utterly stupid waste of money" as no authority will be routinely enforcing the new limit.
Hugh Bladon of the Alliance of British Drivers said: "As far as I'm aware this scheme is a huge waste of money.
"20mph zones are completely moronic because it is universally agreed that they are unenforceable and it's bringing other speed limits into question."
A Bristol City Council spokesman said a decision has "yet to be made" on whether Mr Ferguson would need to take a speed awareness course and have points added to his licence.
