NORTH Yorkshire Police were set to unveil their new mobile speed camera today.

As part of a six-month scheme, the force aims to use a camera van, being unveiled at Elvington today, to enforce speed limits on hazardous roads and encourage motorists to drive more carefully.

With the backing of the 95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, the camera will be operated from a marked police van on roads across the county that have a history of fatal collisions, with particular emphasis on dangerous motorcyclists.

The camera can detect the speed of approaching traffic from up to 1,000 metres away, as well as identifying seatbelt and mobile phone offences.

About 20 bikers were killed on the county’s roads in 2010, with speed a contributing factor in 24 per cent of all road fatalities. The new scheme intends to significantly reduce this number.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, head of the 95 Alive partnership, said: “There has been much criticism of safety cameras over the years. However, my message to those who are against them is: stop and think about the 36 people who have been killed on our roads over the past three years because of excessive or inappropriate speed.”