First speed camera used in North Yorkshire

A mobile speed camera is to be trialed in North Yorkshire for the first time.

The camera will be used at more than 20 locations and can detect vehicle speeds from up to 1km (0.6 miles) away.

It will take images of the vehicle and driver and detect mobile phone and seatbelt offences.

North Yorkshire Police said the camera would be used in an effort to reduce the speed of motorcyclists after 20 died in 2010. It is the last English county to invest in a speed camera.

Crash consequences

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: "We had a view that through enforcement and education that we could change people's views and moderate their driving speeds.

"What we've seen over the years is despite huge amounts of work, we just haven't done that."

But Mr Madgwick said the force was unlikely to invest in fixed cameras as they tended to "slow down traffic in very specific locations".

Motorists caught by the camera will be fined £60 and given three penalty points. First-time offenders travelling marginally over the speed limit will need to attend a speed awareness course.