MOTORWAY police will launch a new campaign this week in a bid to cut road deaths.

The hi-tech approach using video cameras will target tail-gaters, drivers who cross verges and hatch markings at speed, motorists with poor lane discipline and drivers travelling at excessive speed.

Marked and unmarked police cars will be fitted with video recording gear and laser speed detection technology.

Fixed speed cameras will also be placed at strategic points along the motorway network.

Footage will then be shown in magistrates' courts to assist in gaining convictions, even in guilty plea cases.

Insp Craig Fairbrother of the GMP motorway unit said: "Many accidents are caused by drivers driving too close to each other and being unable to stop in time. We are faced with equally poor driving and lane discipline at interchanges."

The new tactics will be used on the region's 270 miles of motorway from Wednesday.

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