HUNDREDS of road junctions across Southend will get double yellow lines in a new clampdown on “stupid” drivers causing crashes.

Over a two-year period, a whopping 450 junctions will have the restrictions to prevent drivers parking too close to turnings.

About £650,000 will be invested into the scheme, which is set to be discussed by Southend councillors next week.

Council chiefs urged drivers to obey the highway code, so they “don’t have to spend thousands to stop them”.

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Ron Woodley, deputy leader, said: “If drivers actually obeyed the rules, we wouldn’t need to be doing this.

“People are parking too close to the junctions. They need to stop being stupid, they’re not obeying the highway code.

“It’s a shame we had to do it.”

Junctions in Shoebury, Leigh and Eastwood and many others will see an increased number of double yellow lines.

These include Dawlish Drive in Leigh, Eastwood Park Drive, and Tennyson Avenue in Southend.

It is hoped the move will increase the safety for drivers pulling out into moving traffic, alongside improving the traffic flow for all vehicles As part of the highway code, it states drivers must not park opposite or within ten metres of a road junction.

Mr Woodley, who represents Thorpe ward, claimed drivers have consistently flouted the rule, and have caused crashes as a result.

All the areas Southend Council is targeting are considered hotspots for the problem.

Mr Woodley added: “It’s the same with when drivers speed, we wouldn’t need to introduce measures if the rules were obeyed.

“People have to realise that the rules apply to them.

“We’re aiming to increase the sight line for drivers pulling out. We get notifications of crashes being caused by drivers parking too close.

“It’s a preventative measure as well as a proactive one.”

As part of the plan, where single yellow lines are in use, these will be upgraded to double yellow lines.

The project is set to be approved by senior councillors at a cabinet committee meeting on Thursday.