The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) was out in Broomfield yesterday for a focused Vision Zero Day, as part of the ongoing shared commitment to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries by 2040.
Coinciding with Walk to School Week, our engagement team spent the morning speaking with parents on the school run about road safety and the everyday challenges they face.
Some voiced concerns about local speeding and driver behaviour, highlighting why community-level conversations are so important. Children received Vision Zero stickers as part of a continued effort to promote safer journeys from a young age, and a number of parents also pledged their support for the Vision Zero movement.
Meanwhile, the widescale enforcement team of 15 officers were joined by the local Community Speed Watch team and carried out proactive checks throughout the area.
Officers stopped 35 individuals, resulting in:
- 12 offences for mobile phone use while driving
- 3 for failing to wear a seatbelt.
- 2 for other traffic violations.
- 6 vehicle stop checks.
The team also ran TruCam speed enforcement across multiple sites, recording the following:
- Maldon Road, Great Baddow: 24 offences
- Ongar Road, Writtle: 7 offences
- Downham Road, Downham: 8 offences
- High Street, Stock: 3 offences
- Lordship Road, Writtle: 0 offences
- A138 Chelmer Road, Chelmsford: 25 offences
- A131 Beaulieu Parkway: 28 offences
Officers also seized four vehicles being driven without valid insurance- driving uninsured is illegal and irresponsible. Alarmingly, one of the vehicles was carrying a young family, including a baby incorrectly secured in an inappropriate seat, putting lives at considerable risk. This driver received a £300 fine and six points on their licence.
Additionally, during onsite conversations, one driver claimed to not be wearing a seatbelt due to claustrophobia; seatbelt use is not optional, it is the law and remains one of the simplest life-saving actions a driver or passenger can take. Another driver admitted to sending a picture to their partner, who was in hospital; regardless of circumstances, using a hand-held mobile phone behind the wheel is illegal and dangerous- even a moment’s distraction can lead to devastating consequences.
County Councillor Mike Steel, representing the Broomfield division, joined on-site and reflected on the importance of the day.
He said: “It has been great to attend the Chelmsford Vision Zero Day, to see the fantastic work of the SERP. Road safety is high on my agenda, and I am actively talking to Essex residents about their concerns.”
He added: “There were six deaths on Chelmsford roads alone last year- which is six too many. It’s vital that we all get on board with Vision Zero and all play our part in making our wonderful county safer for all.”
The SERP will continue to patrol communities across Essex, bringing together education and enforcement to change behaviours, start conversations, and help people make better choices on our roads, with the objective of encouraging consistent, responsible driving, not just when enforcement is expected. By operating flexibly countywide, the team aims to support a culture of everyday road safety, where good decisions are made to protect everyone on the road.
What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is the aspiration to reduce road deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2040. The SERP believe loss of life on Essex roads is unacceptable and that every road user has a role to play in achieving this.
Join us in making Essex’s roads safer. Pledge your support today at:
🔗 www.saferessexroads.org/visionzero
