112 drivers stopped for no seatbelt – Southend

A suspected drug driver was arrested and 112 people found not to be wearing a seatbelt during a road safety operation in Southend last week.

Officers from the Casualty Reduction Unit worked with colleagues from the Safer Essex Roads Partnership on Thursday, July 7, 2016 to detect offenders using the roads and increase road safety. Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology (ANPR) was used to identify suspect vehicles which were then intercepted and taken to stop-check sites on Progress Road, Leigh on Sea and Southchurch Road, Southend.

During the operation, a 28-year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of drug driving at Southchurch Road, Southend just before 3.30pm on July 7, 2016. He has been released on bail pending further investigation until July 25, 2016.

Eighty-two drivers and thirty passengers were dealt with for failing to wear a seatbelt and 19 drivers were found using their mobile phone behind the wheel. Nine vehicles were seized because their drivers weren’t insured to be driving them and twenty-two vehicles were found not to have a valid MOT. Seven drivers were dealt with for driving otherwise than in accordance with the terms of their licence and one driver was dealt with for careless driving. Four drivers were issued with vehicle defect rectification notices and given 14 days to resolve the problem or face prosecution, points on their licence and/or a fine.

Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager, said: “It is always disappointing to see that a number of drivers fail to wear a seatbelt. Fastening your seatbelt and making sure your passengers are wearing theirs is such a simple task and one that could save your life and theirs. Please remember to buckle up.”