While Gatsos can be...

While Gatsos can be used 24 hours a day, there has been a problem with mobile units at night - but the new pink technology has solved this. Steve Callaghan, from the Cumbria Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, explained: "Cameras haven"t been used at night due to the problems with the flash distracting drivers, but the pink bulb of this new device overcomes that.

"It works by taking two pictures - one is a wide angle showing the vehicle, and the second is a telephoto shot revealing the driver"s face. The digital camera is attached to a laser speed gun and should help us tackle the number of accidents we have in the early hours caused by speeding drivers."

Callaghan claimed the move was not being used to generate extra cash from fines, but to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the road at night.

So far this year, 30 people have died on Cumbria"s roads, with six between the hours of 1am and 2am. Callaghan added: "It would be irresponsible if we didn"t get to grips with the problem."

Civilian crews in brightly painted vans will use the new camera in areas of the county considered accident hotspots. Police forces across Britain look sure to follow Cumbria"s lead and bring in the night-time mobile devices.