Young and inexperienced drivers highlighted as a risk on Essex Roads

Overnight on Monday 2 March, Roads Policing Unit officers carried out targeted patrols on the M11 to identify poor and dangerous driving behaviours resulting in several young and inexperienced drivers being reported for a range of traffic offences, including speeding and careless driving.

The M11 continues to be regarded as a high risk route for serious collisions, with the night’s recorded vehicle speeds indicating a significant potential for killed or seriously injured (KSI) outcomes.

During patrols, officers stopped one young driver who appeared to be “showing off” to another young passenger. He was captured travelling at 102mph and was seen swerving across all three lanes to take a junction. His sudden braking caused other road users to brake sharply, and he was subsequently reported for both speeding and careless driving.

In a separate incident, a driver with only seven months’ driving experience was recorded travelling at 101mph. He was also reported for speeding and careless driving. Officers further identified that three young male passengers in the rear of the vehicle were not wearing seatbelts. All three were advised about the risks associated with not being restrained and were each issued with a traffic offence report recommending road safety courses.

Both drivers were issued with a Section 59 warning for driving in a manner likely to cause alarm, distress, or annoyance to other road users. The warning applies to both the driver and the vehicle for 12 months and any repeat behaviour allows police to seize the vehicle immediately.

Shockingly, in the rear of a third vehicle stopped during the patrols, an officer found an unbelted female passenger with an unrestrained four year old child sleeping across the back seat.

Roads policing officers are trained road safety specialists who patrol Essex’s road network to keep all road users safe. Their role includes targeting poor or dangerous driving behaviours - such as speeding, careless driving, and inconsiderate driving - because of the significant impact such behaviour can have on the public.

Roads policing officer, Sergeant Will Willsher, said:
Young and inexperienced drivers remain one of the highest risk groups on our roads, and what we saw on the M11 is a stark reminder of how quickly inexperience mixed with poor decision making can lead to a possible collision. When a driver chooses to speed, or drive without regard for others, they put every single road user in danger.
Our message is simple: this behaviour is not harmless: it can cost lives.
We will continue to take immediate action against anyone who endangers the public – including those who are new to the road and have the most to lose.

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