POLICE Roads Policing Unit officers conducted speed enforcement activities at 11 sites across Essex, resulting in 70 drivers being captured on camera. Each driver was exceeding the local speed limit for the area and placing themselves and others at risk.
On Monday 7 October the highest recorded speed on a road limited to 30mph was almost double at 50mph – totally unacceptable.
During the day, drivers were seen to “flash” other speeding drivers to warn of police presence ahead, a practice that doesn’t benefit anyone.
Roads Policing Unit Sergeant Will Willsher said: “As a force, we are dedicated to keeping the roads in Essex safe for everyone and to keep them moving so that everyone can get to where they need to be.
“But speeding is against the law, and we will target those drivers who show a blatant disregard for the safety of other road users.
“Flashing your lights to warn speeding drivers that we are carrying out road safety patrols is irresponsible.
“You may be flashing a speeding motorist who minutes later could be involved in a collision because they are travelling in excess of the speed limit.
“We want to take action and speak to them, to educate them that poor and dangerous driving decisions have serious repercussions and flashing means they will evade that process, but continue to place others at risk.”
On the day, areas covered included Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill with 22 drivers caught on camera, followed by A414, Ongar, with 21 and Queens Park Avenue, Billericay, with 10 drivers to be reported for speeding offences.
This speed-focussed road safety patrol followed Speed Enforcement Officers patrols last week as they focussed on reducing speed and casualty numbers in the west of the county. Over the week, they visited Purfleet, Thurrock, South Ockendon and Pitsea where 135 speeding motorists were captured where the highest speed recorded was 49mph in a 30mph zone.
Furthermore, they enforced on the A130 in response to localised complaints about anti-social driving and speed, resulting in 68 drivers being captured with the highest speed 99mph on a 70mph fast road.
Speeding is a recognised contributing factor to killed and serious collisions which is why we patrol all our roads, whether they are in our countryside, towns, or cities to uphold the law and make sure everyone is safe.
Speeding may not seem like an offence and drivers may not feel like they are breaking the law, but road safety is of the utmost importance to ensure you arrive safely at your destination.
Your speed can creep up without you noticing, so keep an eye on your speedo!
