DOZENS of speeding drivers have been caught by police in just one day - with 15 drivers caught going above the limit in one Southend borough "hotspot" alone.

In a crackdown on speeding across south Essex, the roads policing unit captured 76 drivers on camera across 16 sites with thee highest speed recorded as 74 miles per hour on a 50 miles per hour road.

Areas covered included Thorpe Hall Avenue in Thorpe Bay, where 15 drivers will now be reported for the offence.

The road has previously been branded a "speeding hotspot" despite its 30 miles per hour limit, with officers frequently targeting the area in an effort to stamp out bad driving.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Each one of them was exceeding the local speed limit for the area and placing themselves and others at risk.

"Speeding is a recognised contributing factor to killed and serious collisions which is why we patrol all our roads, whether they are in our countryside, towns, or cities to uphold the law and make sure everyone is safe."

One officer reported drivers “flashing” other drivers warning of police presence ahead.

Other hotspots targeted include Queens Park in Billericay where 12 motorists were caught, and the A13 at the bottom of Bread and Cheese Hill in Benfleet which saw eight drivers reported.

"Thankfully a number of areas saw only one speeding motorist, but still, that’s one too many in Canvey, Hawkwell, Southend and Benfleet," the spokesman added.

"Speeding may not seem like an offence and drivers may not feel like they are breaking the law, but road safety is of the utmost importance to ensure you arrive safely at your destination and our roads are kept moving.

"Your speed can creep up without you noticing, so keep an eye on your speedometer."

Anyone who witnesses bad driving is asked to send information to Essex Police online at essex.police.uk.