Motorists hate them. The Government has been accused of using them as money-spinners.

And road safety charities insist they save lives.

We've never been able to tell here, because North Yorkshire police don't use fixed speed cameras.

That may change now the force is to get a new boss.

Grahame Maxwell won't take over as chief constable until next month.

But already the pressure on him to think again about speed cameras is growing.

York council leader Steve Galloway says the issue will be high on the agenda at his very first meeting with our new top policeman.

The toll of deaths and injuries that can be caused by speeding has been highlighted by our Live Now, Drive Later campaign. So we think Coun Galloway is absolutely right to raise the issue once again.

North Yorkshire Police have always argued that the county doesn't have any accident "black spots", and that therefore the cameras wouldn't work.

We have never bought that.

The fact is, speed kills - and, when properly sited, speed cameras do work. They do encourage motorists to slow down: that has been observed in county after county across the UK.

Of course, not all motorists will stick to speed limits if there is no consistent attempt to enforce them.

Back those limits up with cameras, and they will change their habits.

We've seen, from the example of those flashing signs that greet drivers as they come into York, that the right measures can work.

If those signs can persuade speedsters to slow down, imagine what the fear of a hefty fine and points on their licence could achieve.