Braintree: Cars Seized During Operation

1 March 2012, 07:39 | Updated: 1 March 2012, 07:45

More than 400 vehicles were stopped and checked by police in Braintree yesterday (Wednesday February 29th) as part of a major operation to crackdown on crime and improve road safety.

More than 40 police officers carried out roadside checks and mobile patrols around the town.

The operation was also part of Essex County Council’s three-year 'No Excuse' campaign to tackle motoring offences and raise awareness that there is no excuse for offences such as speeding, driving while using a mobile phone, not wearing seat belts or driving without insurance or valid driving documents.

A total of 149 traffic offences were recorded, mainly drivers using mobile phones, not wearing seat belts, having no MOT or speeding.

Five vehicles were seized because the drivers were not insured. 

Thirty-five of the drivers who were stopped for not wearing seat belts volunteered to attend a road safety training course instead of paying the £60 fixed penalty fine.