Essex PFCC: Bad Drivers are Real Criminals – Join the Fight for Safer Roads This Road Safety Week
PFCC Roger Hirst, is calling on residents, road users and communities to unite in support of National Road Safety Week 2025, running from 16–22 November, under the theme “Safe Vehicles Save Lives”.
Roger Hirst said, “Road safety is one of the key priorities in both my Police and Crime Plan and the Fire and Rescue Plan. Tragically more people are killed and seriously injured on Essex roads than all other crimes put together.”
To date this year crashes have killed 57 people, exceeding the 50 for the whole of 2024.
Roger added, ‘’To those who say haven’t police got better things to do and should be catching real criminals, I say bad drivers are real criminals – their actions can destroy lives and the devastation of road collisions is felt by far too many families and communities. We must work together to reduce harm and promote safer driving.
“We are committed to Vision Zero – eliminating deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by 2040. These are tough challenges, but they are achievable through prevention, protection and partnership.”
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, Essex Police said: “This year has been one of the most devastating in recent memory for road deaths in Essex. We have seen 57 people lose their lives in 45 separate collisions. That is 57 families torn apart, 57 lives cut short, and countless communities left grieving.
“This level of death and serious injury is totally unacceptable; there is no other part of society where we would tolerate such loss daily. Across the UK, six people are killed and 66 seriously injured every single day on our roads.
“Brake’s Road Safety Week is a vital opportunity for all of us, police, partners, stakeholders, and communities, to come together and demand change. We must challenge dangerous behaviours, promote safer driving, and work relentlessly to prevent further tragedy.”
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Many of these tragedies are preventable. By targeting dangerous behaviours such as speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, failing to wear a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while driving, lives can be saved.
A Public Health Approach to Safer Roads.
- Education: Promoting safe vehicle use and awareness of the “Fatal Four” – speeding, drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, and not wearing seatbelts.
- Enforcement: Essex Police will run targeted operations including Operation Limit, while ECFRS will support with FireBike and Community Speed Watch.
- Engagement: SERP will deliver school programmes like School Speed Watch and Be Bright, Be Seen and host community events to promote road safety pledges.
PFCC Allocates £10,000 to Brake to Support Road Victims
To support victims and bereaved families affected by serious road collisions, the PFCC approved a £10,000 grant to Brake, the national road safety charity. The funding will help provide:
- Victim information packs distributed by Essex Police Family Liaison Officers (FLOs)
- Access to the National Road Victim Service (NRVS) caseworkers
- Contributions to Brake’s helpline and central support team
In the first quarter of 2025–26, 10 Essex victims and families have already received caseworker-led support and 110 bereavement packs have been distributed.
Safe Vehicles Save Lives
Brake’s national theme highlights the importance of vehicle safety. Essex residents are encouraged to check their vehicles for roadworthiness and learn about life-saving technologies such as lane assist, crash detection, and intelligent speed assistance.