DOZENS of drivers have been caught going above the limit in speeding hotspots across south Essex in just one day.

In a crackdown on the crime across south Essex, the roads policing unit captured 76 drivers on camera across 16 sites with the 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.

The other roads police targeted in this speeding enforcement day included: 

  • Link Road, Canvey - one speeding driver reported
  • A129 Rayleigh Road, Thundersley - three reported
  • Rectory Road, Hawkwell - one reported 
  • Star Lane, Great Wakering - six reported
  • Thorpe Hall Avenue, Southend - 15 reported
  • Maplin Way, Southend - one reported
  • Highlands Boulevard, Leigh - two reported
  • A13 London Road, Benfleet (opposite station) - one reported
  • A13 London Road, Benfleet (bottom of Bread and Cheese Hill) - eight reported
  • London Road, Pitsea - four reported
  • Southmayne, Basildon - six reported
  • Broadmayne, Basildon - five reported
  • Radwinter Road, Wickford - four reported
  • Golden Jubilee Way, Wickford - three reported 
  • Queens Park Avenue, Billericay - 12 reported 
  • London Road, Vange - four reported

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.

“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.