From drivers caught at up to 57mph in a 40mph limit, to two drug-driving arrests and a disqualified driver stopped on an illegal e-scooter, enforcement teams had plenty to deal with during a Vision Zero Day in Harlow. But alongside enforcement, 148 parents and children were given the opportunity to talk about safer driving and pedestrian safety, showing how education, engagement and enforcement can work together to make roads safer.
Speed enforcement across Harlow and the surrounding area recorded 74 speeding offences, with the highest speed recorded at 57mph in a 40mph limit.
At Gilden Way, 25 drivers were caught speeding, with a top speed of 55mph. A further 13 offences were recorded on the A414, where the highest speed was 57mph. On Harlow Road in Roydon, 23 speeding offences were recorded, with a top speed of 40mph, while a further 13 offences were detected on Station Road.
At the enforcement site, two people were arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
In one case, a man was seen apparently smoking cannabis while driving to work. When an officer approached the vehicle, he threw the cannabis out of the window; officers then also found cannabis in his possession.
In a separate incident, a female delivery driver was stopped after being seen wearing her seatbelt under her arm while her passenger was not wearing one. She initially failed to stop and passed the first site, before returning to the enforcement site and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
Officers also dealt with 19 seatbelt offences, 14 mobile phone offences and one offence relating to glass, alongside four excess-speed offences.
The team also stopped a driver who had been disqualified from driving but was using a private e-scooter on the public highway. Private e-scooters are not legal to ride on public roads, pavements, cycle tracks or other public places. Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Young people take road safety message to drivers
Before the enforcement activity, three groups took part in a School Speed Watch at St James’ Church of England School, where 148 parents and children were spoken to about driving behaviour and pedestrian safety.
The activity prompted some powerful reactions from both drivers and young people.
One driver said the intervention was a great idea and had made them think about their driving.
One child described some people’s driving behaviour as “selfish”, while a professional driver admitted they had been distracted and had not realised they were travelling in a 30mph limit. They also agreed that the road should arguably have a 20mph limit.
The conversations demonstrated the value of giving people the opportunity to stop, think and understand how their behaviour affects other road users.
From tackling speeding and drug driving to speaking with families outside schools, every intervention provides an opportunity to encourage safer choices and reduce the risk of someone being killed or seriously injured.
The Safer Essex Roads Partnership continues to work towards Vision Zero – our shared ambition that no one should be killed or seriously injured on Essex roads.
