‘I’m not wearing a seatbelt as my dog has just been to the vets’

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership has reminded road users in Clacton-On-Sea that there is no excuse for poor driving – during the latest ‘Surround a Town Day’ in the seaside town.

‘Surround a Town’ sees SERP focus resources in a concentrated and geographically targeted area, often where there are high rates of collisions and casualties. The initiative uses a combination of enforcement and engagement to highlight the importance of safe and legal driving.

Essex Police provides a highly visible presence around the town while SERP partners interact with the public in the town centre to promote road safety.

The most recent event took place in Clacton-On-Sea on 19 July and detected 46 seatbelt offences, 16 vehicles with no MOT, eight with no insurance, two mobile phone offences and 28 drivers speeding.

As well as a heightened police presence, volunteers from three community speed watch groups recorded an additional 52 speeding vehicles.

Road safety officers spoke to 70 people in the town centre, including those with child car seats found to be fitted incorrectly, and a driver with two small children and an adult sharing the back seat.

David Raven, Road Safety Officer for SERP, said:

“Despite the obvious dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, we continually see people reluctant to wear it.

“Such small changes such as putting your mobile phone away and wearing your seatbelt can save your life.

“There really is no excuse for poor driving.”

23 July 2018