Surround a Town arrests prompt new drug drive warning

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) is warning motorists about the dangers of drug driving – after five offences were detected during a recent Surround a Town day in Southend.

Organised by SERP, Surround a Town sees resources focussed on a tight geographical 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.

The latest Surround a Town day took place in Southend on 7 November – with officers making five arrests for drug driving.

In the first 10 months of 2019, Essex Police made 1,491 drug drive arrests – 44% higher than the total recorded during the entirety of 2018 (1,039).

And with the festive period also on the horizon, SERP is urging people to remember the effects of illegal drugs can be highly unpredictable – and therefore to drive safe, drive sober.

Elsewhere during the Southend Surround a Town, 32 seat belt offences were detected – while four drivers were caught using a mobile phone.

Three people were stopped for driving without insurance, and one for careless driving.

At the engagement site on Southend High Street, officers engaged with approximately 120 members of the public, giving information on a number of road safety issues including concerns about speeding, how to submit dash-cam footage and mobility scooter safety.

15 November 2019