homes to offer limousines to mourners raised the ire of taxi drivers who see it as another threat to their business.

The taxi drivers did not get much sympathy from most Government MPs, who have now had first-hand experience of the frustrations of dealing with the industry, which has long been incapable of speaking with one voice.

And the Government also reasonably argued that the legislation now offers people more choice -- which is to be welcomed in a free market economy.

But the Opposition was also on the mark when it questioned where the impetus for the legislation was coming from, particularly as it seems only one funeral home is seriously contemplating offering the service.

If that is true, it weakens the other argument against the service; that it will increase the congestion on the Island's already badly-crowded roads. One car -- although there has been no indication of what size it will be -- will not make much difference.

But Opposition MPs were also right to argue that this may be only the thin edge of the wedge. If funeral homes can offer this kind of service, then why shouldn't hotels be able to have limos on hand for their guests as well? The difficulty with this kind of special interest bill is that there are always others interests who will now petition for the same treatment. That is a bad precedent to set.

It is unfortunate that the Transport Ministry, which has a monumental task before it in reducing congestion and making public transport more accessible, has used up some of its goodwill with this bill.

Instead, the Government saw its first abstentions on a vote, alienated some previously loyal supporters and is no closer to solving Bermuda's transport problems than it was before the bill was tabled.

That's a big price to pay for one limousine.

SPEED CAMERAS EDT Speed cameras Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox's announcement on Friday that the closed circuit television cameras around Hamilton are to be activated is to be welcomed.

What's unfortunate is that the timing of the announcement gives every indication that it was only made to ease concerns over recent attacks on visitors, which may have been prevented if the cameras were working.

Still, there is an opportunity now for Government to move on another area of high-tech policing: static speed detection cameras should be installed in high speed areas to deter people from speeding. That would do more to cut speeds on the Island's roads than anything else.