SPEEDING offences across Thurrock and wider Essex have rocketed but deaths from road traffic collisions have fallen, data has shown.

A total of 71,695 speeding offences were recorded in 2019. That fell to 54,493 in 2020 during the Covid lockdowns that year.

However, the numbers have steadily increased since – with 76,167 in 2022 and 98297 in 2023. But, Essex police say deaths on the roads have fallen.

In 2003, it recorded 116 deaths, and a total of 105 in 2004.

Last year it recorded 42 fatal collisions, with 50 in 2022.

Adam Pipe, head of the force's Roads Policing Unit (RPU), said: "Vehicle speed remains the second highest contributory factor within injury collisions – either exceeding the speed limit or inappropriate speed for the conditions.

"We are undertaking more enforcement than ever when it comes to speed checks and we work with 106 Community Speed Watch groups – made up of 1,200 volunteers.

"The work of the RPU supports Vision Zero – our ambition to have no roads deaths in Essex by 2040 or sooner.

"Under this approach, the enforcement of speed limits is more important than ever. These limits afford protection to all road users, especially the most vulnerable, such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

"As we work towards realising this ambition, we continue to keep unfit drivers off our roads.

"For example, in the first three months of 2024, RPU officers arrested more than 580 drivers in connection with drink or drug driving.

"While people continue to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, we'll continue this important work each and every day.

"Reducing road deaths and collisions isn't solely the job of the police, of course we rely on working in partnership with those who maintain and manage our road networks and traffic calming measures.

"We will continue to educate and inform drivers about the impact dangerous driving can have on the wider community and we will enforce the law.

"Our work, together with partners, is clearly having an impact.

"In the early 2000s, we saw very high numbers of road casualties and this number is in steady decline.

"In 2003, we recorded 116 deaths on our county's roads, 105 in 2004. Last year we recorded 42 fatal collisions, with 50 the year before that.

"One death on our roads is always too many, but these figures are moving in the right direction."