Essex Police Roads Policing Officers were in Maldon today, Monday March 17, helping to keep our roads safe for all users.

PC Asa Smith, of Boreham Roads Policing Unit, said: "We are trying to prevent people from being killed or seriously injured on our roads.

"We do this by speaking to drivers, putting them on educational courses when required, taking vehicles in a poor condition off the road and arresting people who are suspected to be under the influence of drink or drugs."

The road safety operation targeted the fatal four offences of not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving, speeding and drink & drug-driving.

Officers were also focusing on other traffic offences, such as insecure loads and driving while disqualified, and vehicle defects.

During the day, two people were arrested on suspicion of drug-driving, two vehicles were seized for being driven without insurance and their drivers reported, while two vehicles were prohibited from moving on a road as they were not safe to be driven.

Other offences identified included one person driving while disqualified, 62 people not using their seatbelts, 20 drivers using their mobile phones, three people driving other than in accordance with a licence and three not in proper control of their vehicle.

Three people were found to be driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition or with an insecure load, including one person who was driving with lots of wood in the vehicle over his head. Eleven minor offences were also identified, bringing the total for the day to 109.