A DAY of action to stop dangerous driving on south Essex roads yesterday (Saturday, 13 December) resulted in 29 people being arrested for drink or drug driving, 13 vehicles being seized and 134 traffic offence reports made.

Specially trained officers also brought safe conclusions to two pursuits after dangerous drivers failed to stop. 

In the first, a car failed to stop in Tilbury and reached speeds of 125mph on the A13 and was attempting to use the wrong side of the road when a roads policing unit officer used tactical contact to stop it safely.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and theft of a motor vehicle.

In a separate incident, a driver failed to stop on the northbound A12 after being involved in a domestic incident, with the driver wanted on suspicion of a breach of a court order.

The pursuit was safely ended when the car was boxed in close to the Copdock junction, in Suffolk.

The driver was arrested for the order breach and driving offences.

Armed officers were also first on the scene of a single-vehicle collision in Daws Heath, near Thundersley, after the occupants fled the area.

Witnesses reported that the individuals ran to a nearby garden, and cannabis could be smelt from inside the vehicle.

Police checks identified a possible address for checks and when officers got there, the found a woman who matched the description of the driver who was arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving.

In another incident in Marks Tey, a moped rider who was suspected of being unfit failed to stop and tried to flee using alleyways.

Armed officers, who were in the area, pursued the rider on foot and he was found as he tried to navigate safety bollards to escape. He was arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving and failing to stop.

Superintendent Ian Hughes, of Essex Police operational policing command, said: "Sadly, despite a significant loss of life on Essex roads this year, people are still choosing to get behind the wheel when they are not fit to do so.

"They're also opting not to stop when asked and taking their own life – and the lives of others – in their hands and that's completely unacceptable.

"To lose a loved one on the road at any time of the year is tragic but the thought of a family losing someone so close to the Christmas period doesn't bear thinking about and my plea to all drivers is to please be responsible.

"If you've had a drink to celebrate Christmas with friends or family, please do not get behind the wheel. Use public transport, get a taxi or ask someone you know to pick you up.

"We've also seen drug-driving become worryingly prevalent on our roads and the consequences of that are equally impactive.

"The risk just isn't worth it because – as this enforcement shows – we have officers on our roads across the county who will catch those irresponsible and dangerous drivers."