MOTORISTS could help reduce deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by becoming police’s “Extra Eyes”.

Anyone who captures dash cam footage of illegal, poor and dangerous driving can report it online.

Extra Eyes is an initiative run by the Safer Essex Roads Partnership which has an aspiration for zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2040.

The group wants all journeys to be safe.

Most drivers in Essex drive carefully and are considerate to other road users but in June, 363 submissions were made to Extra Eyes where members of the public witnessed drivers or riders committing traffic offences, putting the safety of other road users at risk.

A police spokesman said: “We issued 225 positive resolutions which included 111 notice of intended prosecutions and 12 letters of advice. Of those 173 positive resolutions, the top offence was careless driving.”

Mick Green, who manages Extra Eyes said: “People may find themselves being reported to Extra Eyes because members of the public recognise that there is the potential for a collision, due to the poor standard of their driving.

“They may feel that they are safe drivers, but they ignore road conditions and put others at risk because of their poor decisions.

“People also make genuine mistakes as we are all human, but Extra Eyes is looking for those who deliberately drive dangerously and illegally or are negligent with regard to the safety of others. We all need to share the road and that includes overtaking other people using the road safely”

“Through Extra Eyes, any footage that is captured on dash cam showing illegal and poor driving can be sent to us for review by one of my investigators within Road Policing at Essex Police and we will take the appropriate action.”

In the past year, various crashes have resulted in serious injuries or deaths in south Essex.

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In September 2020, Jack Madel and Tommy Wilson stole a Ford Kuga from Billericay, with Madel going through a red light and crashing into a Mercedes, which killed 17-year-old James Esah in Warley.

Madel, the driver, was jailed for nine years last week for causing death by dangerous driving.

In February, Darren Leigh, 31, went on a rampage around Broadmayne in Basildon when he saw police nearby, including mounting pavements while pedestrians walked by, running red lights and driving the wrong way down duel carriageways. He was jailed for two years.

Extra Eyes review footage of offences including speeding, careless driving, going through red lights, contravening traffic signs and using mobile phones whilst driving.

Residents can submit dash cam footage at any time to Extra Eyes, but they need people to adhere certain factors.

This includes being willing to attend court to give evidence, and that footage must be unedited, clear and in focus with vehicles being identifiable.

Submissions must be made within 48 hours of the event, and footage must show instances of driving behaviour which amounts to careless driving or leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.

Visit saferessexroads.org/extraeyes/extra-eyes-what-next.