Crackdown on dangerous driving and illegal vehicles will improve road safety

Dozens of vehicles were stopped during Thurrock’s second ‘Surround the Town’ (SAT) day on Friday 14 August, which was led by Thurrock Council’s road safety team.

The scheme is part of the countywide SERP programme to reduce road collisions and injuries and improve road safety.

Three areas were targeted in conjunction with Essex Police: Lodge Lane in Grays; South Road in South Ockendon; and the Moto motorway service station near Lakeside.

The majority of vehicles (61) were stopped for seat belt offences by either the driver or passenger, while 15 drivers were caught using a hand-held mobile phone.

In terms of age, 36 of those apprehended were aged 25-39 years, 27 were aged 40-54 years and just 10 were aged 17-24 years. The vast majority were men and almost all the vehicles were cars (44) and vans (32).

Councillor Oliver Gerrish, Thurrock Council’s transportation portfolio holder, said: “As part of these events, drivers are stopped if they are seen doing potentially dangerous driving such as not wearing a seatbelt or using a hand-held mobile phone; or if they are suspected of drink driving or being under the influence of drugs.

“Some offences lead to fixed penalty notices being issued and others see people offered the opportunity to attend a range of courses covering speed awareness, driver alertness, why it is important to wear a seatbelt, and so on.

“This was the second SAT Day in Thurrock and people should be not think that because we’ve done it twice, that’s it. We will be following up with mini SAT days to emphasize the dangers.”

Other results from the day included 14 vehicles without a valid MOT, one vehicle seized for no insurance and seven vehicles with illegal number plates.

18 August 2015