NORTH Yorkshire is one of the few English counties not to use fixed speed cameras, but we do have three of the mobile sort and their job is to cover the county’s 9,000km of road.

Now research says this is giving the police fewer resources to combat speeding than other forces of a similar size, so to address the shortfall three vans will be introduced next spring.

That’s going to divide opinion. Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick says more enforcement is an effective approach, but many motorists will see the move as a money generator not a life saver.

However, North Yorkshire has a problem on its roads. More than 8,000 people were killed or seriously injured on them between 2010 and 2012, and recent research showed that 80 per cent of the public believed road safety was a concern for residents.

But, as Mr Madgwick points out, we need more than just speed cameras, which is why his force will be carrying out more training and education, He is right. the temptation to speed on fast roads such as the A64 is very real, so are the all too predictable consequences.

We all have a responsibility for keeping our roads safe, but there will always be idiots and speed cameras are targeted at them.

They are a necessary evil, if we are to be protected.