The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) worked in close collaboration with partners, Essex Police, and the Essex Parking Partnership yesterday to deliver a high-impact Vision Zero operation, surrounding Basildon with education, engagement, intervention and enforcement.
The multi-agency approach supported the Vision Zero ambition of zero deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads, with speed enforcement at known hotspots, and proactive engagement with the local community.
School Engagement
The SERP education team attended two primary schools with the Essex Parking Partnership, delivering parking support, road safety education and School Speed Watch activity.
At North Crescent Primary School, 17 drivers were detected exceeding the 20mph speed limit. All were stopped by officers and spoken to directly by pupils and the SERP team. The highest speed recorded was 36mph in a 20mph limit. One driver was issued a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt and was also found to have no MOT.
Lee Chapel Primary School was also attended, following concerns for road safety intervention from a local School Engagement Officer.
Be Bright Be Seen bags, keyrings and leaflets were handed out to help reinforce Vision Zero messages, reminding families that small everyday behaviour changes and improved visibility can play a role in saving lives.
Speed Enforcement
Officers visited ten sites across Pitsea, Basildon and Wickford, including Ashlyns, Broadmayne, Southmayne, Radwinter Avenue and outside Vange Primary School. There were a total of 114 offences captured, with the highest speeds recorded at 81mph and 88mph in a 50mph limit and two vehicles were observed racing side-by-side on Southmayne.
Enforcement Activity
Offences on the day included 67 tickets issued for:
- 22 seatbelt offences
- 9 mobile phone offences
- 4 window tint offences
- 2 no insurance
- 24 excess speed offences
- Three arrests for drug driving, with one driver also disqualified
- Five vehicles seized for no insurance
- One e-scooter seized
Nine eyesight tests were conducted. One 93-year-old driver failed the test, and checks revealed his licence had previously been medically revoked. The driver was safeguarded by Essex Police Officers while his vehicle was seized and the matter reported to the DVLA. Another driver initially failed an eyesight test while driving without prescribed glasses, but passed once wearing them, a clear reminder of the importance of wearing corrective lenses on every journey.
Community Engagement
The team recorded 293 conversations with members of the public across the day, with meaningful conversations focused on Vision Zero, safer speeds and everyday behaviours that reduce risk.
Another Vision Zero Day that showed how delivering education, engagement and enforcement together can make a real difference in keeping Essex roads safer for everyone.
