New funding has been made available to the UK's police forces that will allow them to better deal with motorway crashes.

As a result, drivers will benefit from shorter motorway closures following accidents thanks to the use of 3D laser scanning technology.

The introduction of hi-tech road testing was announced by roads minister Mike Penning and will affect 27 forces across England.

A total of £2.7 million will be made available by the Department for Transport to fund the purchase of the new scanners.

The programme is also being supported by the National Policing Improvement Agency.

Assistant chief constable Sean White, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "The provision of the latest, leading edge 3D laser scanning technology to assist in the expeditious and detailed scanning of collision scenes will make a very important contribution to properly investigating fatal and life changing collisions."

It is expected that the laser technology – known as CLEAR – will dramatically reduce motorway delays.

Recently, Mr Penning claimed that the UK Highways Agency's plans to stockpile tonnes of gritting salt would reduce delays expected as temperatures begin to plummet in the new year.

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Posted by Sean Webb