THREE vehicles were seized during a road safety operation yesterday because the drivers didn’t have appropriate insurance.

The seizures come during Motor Insurance Enforcement Week – a national crackdown led by The National Police Chiefs Council.

Officers from the Casualty Reduction Unit were joined by colleagues from the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, Thurrock Council and HM Revenue and Customs during the operation to detect offenders using the roads and increase road safety.

Officers used Automatic Number Plate Recognition to identify suspect vehicles which were then intercepted and taken to stop-check sites on Southend Road, Corringham and the Moto Services at junction 31 of the M25.

Twenty-nine drivers were dealt with for using a mobile phone behind the wheel and 17 people were stopped for not wearing a seatbelt.

Twelve vehicles were found not to have a valid MOT and 26 drivers were dealt with for speeding including one who was caught travelling at 55mph in a 30mph outside a school.

Thirteen heavy goods vehicles were stopped and their drivers dealt with for a variety of offences.

Twelve were issued fines totalling £1400 for exceeding legal driving hours and one was fined £200 because the vehicle’s load was over the legal weight limit. One of those vehicles stopped was also seized in connection with evasion of duty charges.

Sgt David Rudd from the Casualty Reduction Unit said: "If you fail to ensure you are insured to drive, you could face a fixed penalty notice of £300 and six points on your licence as well as vehicle seizure fees.

"It’s disappointing to see that some drivers continue to drive irresponsibly on the roads of Essex.

“Residents continue to tell us that speeding is a concern in their communities but we are still seeing a number of people putting themselves and others in danger by driving at excess speed."