“This was the wake-up call I needed. There really is no need for speeding and I’m going to remember this child’s face every time I’m running late or tempted to speed.”
This was one of many emotional comments from drivers who were stopped by the School Speed Watch team during the Vision Zero Day in Chelmsford.
Year 5 students from The Bishops’ C of E & R C Primary School spoke to 15 speeding drivers throughout the multiagency event on Wednesday, 15 May. The children were given the opportunity to learn about the dangers of speeding, whilst acting as emotive deterrents by speaking to speeding drivers.
Police officers surrounded the Chelmsford district and detected 27 drivers not wearing seatbelts, 19 drivers using their mobile phone, one with no insurance and one without a valid MOT. Officers seized three vehicles as three drivers did not have driver’s licences. One driver was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and three nearly 80 speeders were caught on the Trucam devices which were dotted across the district.
David Raven, Road Safety Technician for SERP, said: “It was a busy day for the Partnership in Chelmsford this week. Not only did the team surround the district with enforcement and engagement, but we were also supporting the Road Peace Challenge, which saw many of our officers and staff cycle 41 miles in memory of the #41liveslost on Essex roads this year.
“The families and friends of those who’ve died on Essex roads are the reason we do these Vision Zero days. We don’t want anyone to experience the loss and devastation caused by collisions. We believe they’re preventable and we want every member of the Essex community to stand up and join our movement – we want zero deaths on our roads.
“We’d encourage everyone to take a few seconds to visit our website and sign the Vision Zero pledge to show your support for our aspiration. We really can all save lives.”
For more information on Vision Zero and to sign the pledge, please visit Vision Zero – saferessexroads.org.
