The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) was out across Brentwood as part of the latest Vision Zero Day of Action, combining enforcement, education and community engagement to help make Essex roads safer for everyone.
The day began at Larchwood Primary School, where the education team spoke with 83 parents about pedestrian and road safety, parents were highly supportive of the initiative and welcomed the focus on improving safety for children and families.
It continued with two School Speed Watch sessions; at Hogarth Primary School, 30 pupils spoke directly with four drivers on Ingrave Road about the importance of driving safely near schools. Later, 25 children from Blackmore Primary School spoke with six motorists who had been speeding into the village, with the highest speed recorded at 38mph in a 30mph limit.
One driver stopped by the children admitted the experience had made him rethink the way he drives, while a delivery driver acknowledged that without the opportunity to speak directly with the pupils, his actions could have had serious consequences for both his job and the safety of others.
Across the day, the team spoke with 75 members of the public at Shenfield Library and along the High Street, while also visiting 35 local businesses to discuss road safety, local concerns and the SERP’s Business Driving in Essex programme, that helps organisations train and protect their employees.
Along Ongar Road, SERP partners, Essex Police, spoke with 47 motorists and passengers. Many were surprised that they had been stopped for speeding, but despite this, a number of drivers commented positively on the road safety operation and said they were pleased to see proactive enforcement taking place in Brentwood.
Enforcement activity throughout the day resulted in:
• 20 speeding offences
• 11 mobile phone offences
• 21 seatbelt offences
• 11 other traffic offences
• Three vehicle seizures
A total of 63 offences were identified during the operation.
Brentwood Vision Zero day demonstrated the power of combining education, engagement and enforcement to improve road safety. By working together with schools, communities, businesses and road users, Vision Zero continues to challenge risky behaviours and support the shared goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads.
Find out more about Vision Zero and how you can support safer roads across Essex at www.saferessexroads.org/vision-zero
