A dozen motorists were stopped in Southend last night as part of an operation to make the town’s roads safer.

A group of special constables – volunteer police officers – were out patrolling roads and issues 10 tickets for speeding.

The highest speed registers was 42mph in a 30mph zone.

Officers also seized a vehicle after they discovered a driver had no licence or valid insurance.

And they also arrested a 43-year-old man on suspicion of drug driving.

The man, who was from Shoebury, had reportedly tested positive for cocaine after doing a drugs wipe.

He was quizzed by officers at the police station before being released on bail.

The operation comes as new figures show 42 people have died in Essex this year due to crashes.

That is already close to last year’s total of 46.

Police have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the most common factors which contribute to fatal collisions.

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “No fatal collision is acceptable.

“Our Roads Policing Team get called to far too many fatal or serious collisions where at least one of the Fatal Four contributary factors are present – inappropriate speed, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving and drink or drug driving.

“I want the public to understand that poor or dangerous driving is not the standard of driving we want to see.

“By educating the public on the Fatal Four, I hope that drivers will reflect on their own driving and see what areas they can improve to help keep themselves and other road users safe.”