A road safety reaction test at Topgolf Chigwell gave players a stark demonstration of just how quickly impairment can affect your ability to drive, while enforcement activity across the district uncovered a multitude of driving offences.
Seatbelts were among the biggest concerns identified during a Vision Zero day of action in Epping, with 40 offences detected, alongside 11 mobile phone offences.
During the operation, Essex Police stopped more than 100 drivers and passengers, with the team speaking to them about the risks behind the offences and the wider Vision Zero ambition to prevent people being killed or seriously injured on Essex roads.
Speed was also a concern across the day, with 28 offences recorded. Community Speed Watch groups in Nazeing, North Weald and Epping recorded vehicles travelling well above the 30mph limit, including a highest recorded speed of 50mph in North Weald.
One motorist provided an unexpected reminder of the dangers of speeding, telling volunteers: “I would never speed along this road because of the pheasants.”
In Epping town, Community Speed Watch volunteers recorded six vehicles exceeding the speed limit, with the highest speed of 43mph in a 30mph area.
Away from enforcement, the team took road safety into the community at Topgolf in Chigwell, using a reaction timer and impairment goggles to demonstrate how impairment can affect people’s ability to react.
A group competed to achieve the fastest reaction time, but when impairment goggles were introduced, the difference was striking, giving the team an opportunity to talk about the effects of tiredness, alcohol, and drugs on driving.
Vision Zero is about more than enforcement. It is about education, engagement and helping everyone understand that the choices we make behind the wheel can have consequences for ourselves and others.
