Canvey: Vision Zero road safety day of action

Road safety in Essex is a priority for us and we continue to enforce traffic law to ensure safety for all, keep traffic moving and reduce fatal collisions.

On Wednesday 12 February, officers from our Roads Policing Unit worked with colleagues in Operational Support Group and alongside Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) colleagues to target drivers carrying out offences and clamp down on uninsured drivers.

As part of Vision Zero, our joint ambition to reduce killed and seriously injured collisions, our officers monitored the traffic in Long Road, Canvey. Those not wearing seatbelts, holding mobile phones or vehicles in poor condition, making them unroadworthy, were identified and stopped. One vehicle was too dangerous to proceed its journey after it was issued with a prohibition order.

Drivers and all passengers need to wear a seatbelt – it’s the law – and in the event of a collision, it could save your life. Unfortunately, there were several incidents where passengers were not wearing their seatbelts, although the driver was!

In one stop, a child in the rear of the car did not have a booster seat and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Although the non-seatbelt wearing driver was allowed to continue their journey once a booster seat was brought to the location, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure everyone is wearing a seatbelt correctly before setting off, especially when children are being transported. He was one of those drivers reported.

Throughout the day, 37 drivers were spoken to about a variety of offences, resulting in traffic offence reports being issued leading to fines or licences being endorsed with penalty points.

In addition, educational input was provided by SERP colleagues who highlighted the safety aspect of wearing a seatbelt and not being distracted whilst driving with really positive interactions. They informed motorists of the importance of road safety as it affects not only them, but more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, two-wheel riders and pupils from a nearby school.

Schoolwatch, an educational programme for pupils, also took part in the day’s events.

The pupils “stopped” five speeding motorists with the help of an accompanying police officer using a speed camera to capture their motorists’ speeds along Thorney Bay Road. Despite the road’s speed limit being limited to 30mph, the top speed recorded was 38mph – much too fast in a residential area and in proximity to a primary school.

The Year 6 pupils talked to the drivers to explain their concerns and to explain why it’s important to them that everyone adheres to the speed limit.

Other road safety measures included speed enforcement monitoring in several locations including Link Road. It was great to see that whilst there, no cars were reported for speeding in the residential zone.

Furthermore, 16 uninsured vehicles or untaxed vehicles were seized in the surrounding area by Roads Policing Unit officers clamping down on this issue as part of Operation Scalis, our work with the Motor Insurers Bureau that recently featured on BBC programme Morning Live (7 February).

Mr Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing Unit said:
We would encourage everyone to play their part in keeping roads in Essex safe.
I’d ask drivers to check that their tyres aren’t bald, or their brakes aren’t worn before they set off and that everyone is properly secured with the seatbelts provided, to passengers helping by not distracting the driver and allowing them to concentrate on the road ahead.
It only takes one responsible driver who adheres to the Highway Code, who sets an example for other motorists, that will help keep roads safe and encourage others to drive to that standard.
Otherwise, we will step in.
Everyone can play their part by taking the Vision Zero Pledge which will make you think about your own driving and how you can become a better driver.

To find out more about Vision Zero, visit Safer Essex Roads Partnership.

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