A suspected drug driver who tried to evade a Vision Zero enforcement site was arrested after quick-thinking Essex Police officers followed the vehicle and brought it safely to a stop.
Throughout the day, the SERP took their message into schools, businesses and the wider community as Vision Zero returned to Southend for a day of education, engagement, and enforcement.
The team carried out activity across Southend and Castle Point, with 95 offences recorded at the enforcement site, alongside a further 78 speed offences captured by enforcement teams across the wider area, with the highest speed recorded at 52mph in a 30mph limit.
The enforcement site saw 30 mobile phone offences and 26 seatbelt offences, alongside 60 routine vehicle checks and two eyesight tests.
Taking road safety into the community
The day began at Barons Court School, where road safety teams spoke to 22 parents at the school gates and provided important information to pupils about being visible as pedestrians now autumn is approaching.
School staff also took leaflets to distribute to pupils to take home, with plans to feature the information in the school newsletter and discuss road safety during an afternoon assembly.
The narrow streets and footpaths around the school can become particularly congested at drop-off and pick-up times, making the opportunity to speak directly with parents and the school community particularly important.
The team then moved to a local Tesco, where they spoke to over 120 people, ranging in age from three all the way up to 100.
There was particular interest in the Be Bright Be Seen message, with many people talking about feeling more vulnerable as the darker mornings and afternoons approach and the clocks change in the coming weeks- the SERP encourages all road users, from drivers and pedestrians to look out for each other during darker evenings.
One member of the public summed up the purpose of the day: “Prevention is better than cure.”
The SERP would like to thank all officers, partners, schools, businesses, and members of the public who supported the day and helped widen the road safety footprint across Southend and the surrounding area.
Vision Zero is a shared responsibility. Together, we can help make Essex roads safer for everyone.
