A roads policing operation close to Lakeside shopping centre found 54 drivers not wearing seatbelts despite the recent poor conditions.

Officers took part in Operation Christmas Presence on Saturday, December 9, along the A126 with 223 cars being stopped.

Two vehicles were seized and other drivers were stopped because:

  • 40 cars had tinted windows
  • Five people had no insurance
  • 36 people had no MOT
  • Five drivers were using their mobile phones
  • 14 vehicles had defects (mostly due to chips filling with water and expanding, causing a cracked windscreen)
  • Three people had children on their laps rather than in a car seat
  • Four had illegal number plates
  • Five lorry drivers had driving hour infringements detected.

Matt Hine, of Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Section, said: “The operation was a success with hundreds of drivers being dealt with for a variety of offences.

“The winter months are colder and create increased risk on our roads. Despite this, drivers are still getting behind the wheels of their cars without wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone.

“The drivers dealt with were fined and in cases had their cars seized, however, Operation Christmas Presence didn’t take the festive spirit away with people stopping to wish us a Merry Christmas.”