A coordinated day of enforcement and engagement took place across Chelmsford, with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) bringing partners together to support the shared ambition of Vision Zero – eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads.
Engagement and Education
At the top of Chelmsford High Street, the SERP engagement team spoke with over 300 members of the public and 35 local businesses. Conversations focused on raising awareness of road safety and the collective role for a community in reducing harm on our roads.
Essex County Council was also on hand to promote the Essex Speeds Strategy Consultation, which allows Essex residents to express their views on speed management, with the aim to help transform towns and villages from places which can sometimes feel dangerous and intimidating into safer, greener and healthier local communities.
Enforcement Activity
At enforcement sites across the city, 61 drivers and passengers were spoken to around a range of road safety issues, including one of the fatal four- seatbelt usage. Some road users initially questioned the need to wear a seatbelt, but these views often changed when faced with the wider impact of serious collisions, not only on themselves, but their friends and families, the emergency services and other road users.
Across five locations, 63 motorists were recorded exceeding the speed limit, in some cases by nearly 30mph over.
Essex Police officers also took robust enforcement action throughout the day, with:
- Nine traffic offence reports issued.
- Three vehicles seized.
- Two arrests for drug driving.
- Two arrests for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
In addition, the Stock Village Community Speed Watch (CSW) group attended the junction of Stock Road and Common Road, recording three speeders.
A Shared Responsibility
The day highlighted the importance of combining enforcement with meaningful engagement to influence behaviour and improve safety for everyone.
Find out more about how you can support Vision Zero and help make Essex roads safer:
www.saferessexroads.org/visionzero
