Thurrock Council joined partners, Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) in Grays to tackle dangerous driving and work towards Vision Zero, the ambition to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by 2040.
On Wednesday 2 July, Thurrock Council, the SERP engagement team and Essex Police held a Vision Zero Day in Grays, which saw the teams working together to tackle the Fatal Four: speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt offences, and driving under the influence.
Police officers carried out driving checks with targeted enforcement, while partners engaged with the community to educate them on road safety.
A keeper who allowed his friend to drive a very expensive BMW with no valid insurance – was among some of the offences that the officers flagged on the day.
Officers also:
- Stopped 32 drivers for seatbelt offences
- Detected 6 mobile phone users
- Reported 67 speeding motorists across 5 locations that included a HGV travelling at 44mph in a 30mph limit
- Seized 5 uninsured vehicles
As part of the day, over 500 people and businesses were spoken to by the SERP engagement team about the real-life impact of risky behaviour behind the wheel. Purfleet Primary School also got involved, with their Year Five pupils taking part in pedestrian skills training.
Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Community Safety, said: “There is no excuse for dangerous driving, and we’re committed to Vision Zero and the ambition to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 2040.
“Having a visible presence in Grays has helped us to identify some of the drivers that are making our roads unsafe and educate more people about how we can all help to make Essex a safer place to drive.”
