Drivers in Thurrock were held to account by 60 pupils from Deneholm Primary, Grays during a joint road safety initiative.

Thurrock Council’s Road Safety Team worked alongside colleagues in Safer Essex Roads Partnership across the borough to promote safer driving on Thurrock’s roads.

The one day event saw teams in Grays town high street offering advice and answering questions, stopping vehicles on a known speeding hot spot and visiting a local school.

Portfolio holder for Transport, Councillor Oliver Gerrish, said: “Keeping the people of Thurrock safe on the roads and the streets is my priority.

He added, “I’m delighted that the Safer Essex Roads Partnership give the message – be safe or be gone.

“I think it’s terrific that pupils questioned drivers caught speeding near to their school asking them, ‘What would you say to my mum and dad if you had killed me speeding?’.

“Interestingly, when we looked at the data of the day we found that drivers aged 17-24 were the lowest offending group that we pulled over.

“It is our job to show our younger drivers how it is done safely – not lead by poor example.

“Although this was Thurrock’s first ‘surround the town’ day (SAT) it will not be the last event of this nature – this work is ongoing and I look forward to the next partnership initiative.”