Chelmsford was at the heart of a Vision Zero Day of Action, as the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) provided the city with education, engagement and enforcement, all with one clear aim: zero deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads.
Communities Making a Difference
Community Speed Watch groups were also out across Chelmsford, monitoring speeds at two separate locations and extending the reach of the day of action.
A Community Speed Watch Coordinator said: “As always, our presence resulted in vehicles slowing down, and plenty of positive interactions from drivers and passing pedestrians.”
Visible Enforcement Where It Matters Most
Enforcement teams focused on key collision hotspots including Great Baddow, Chelmer Road, the A414, Sandon and the A130, capturing 128 offences across these locations.
Across the day, more than 40 tickets were issued for offences by Essex Police, including eight mobile phone offences and nine seatbelt offences; two of which involved child car seats either strapped or positioned incorrectly.
Additional offences included were:
- One arrest for immigration offences.
- One Community Resolution for drug possession.
- Two vehicles seized for no insurance.
Engaging Chelmsford’s Schools and Businesses
The education team visited three schools on New London Road; St Cedd’s, St Anne’s and Our Lady Immaculate.
Education Starts Early
The education team visited Cold Norton Primary School, delivering School Speed Watch alongside Essex Police. Pupils played an active role in promoting safer driving outside their school, recording eight drivers exceeding the 30mph speed limit.
Six drivers were stopped and spoken to by the pupils, with the highest speed recorded at 39mph. One driver was also issued a ticket for not wearing a seat belt.
In total, 35 local businesses and organisations were visited, including the Civic Centre, County Hall, Parish Hall, Marlborough House, Chelmsford Theatre, the County Hotel and Broomfield Library. Throughout the day, the team spoke to over 285 people, helping spread the Vision Zero message that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Zero Compromise Towards Road Safety
Combining education, enforcement and engagement to reduce risk, change behaviour and prevent lives being lost, and with strong community support and collaboration across the partnership, Chelmsford’s Day of Action showed what zero compromise towards road safety looks like in practice.
