Police deal with drivers at illegal Braintree car meets
It follows reports from concerned locals
Police have acting against drivers illegally street racing along the A131 south of Braintree and car meets in the Springwood Drive area.
Last month, they worked with Roads Policing officers and Braintree District Council to deter anti-social behaviour and driving on the industrial estate and along the A131 between Great Notley and Great Leighs.
“We know car enthusiasts like to get together to chat and show off their vehicles to each other. If they respect local residents, businesses and road-users that is fine but when they cause excessive noise, drive in an anti-social manner or attempt to race each other, that is not,” says Sergeant Kevin Mayle, of Braintree Community Policing Team.
Last month, officers arrested two drivers on suspicion of drink-driving and reported another two for prosecution for illegal street racing during weekend car meets in the south Braintree area.
They issued section 59 warnings to six drivers, whose vehicles - or any vehicle they are driving - can be seized by police if they are caught driving anti-socially within the following 12 months.
Three drivers were issued with fixed penalty notices for speeding, seven for driving vehicles with illegal exhausts, and one for driving without insurance. Four drivers received FPNs for illegal number plates, two for driving cars without an MoT, seven for having vehicles with illegal exhausts, one for driving a vehicle with a cracked windscreen, one for a vehicle with an illegal tint and another for an illegal sun strip.
“Dangerous and inconsiderate driving endanger the lives of drivers, spectators and passers-by. If you are not in full control of your vehicle, you are a danger to yourself as well as to other road-users,” says Sergeant Mayle.
“Be aware that if you come to Braintree intent on driving dangerously or anti-socially in and around the town, we don’t tolerate this kind of behaviour.
“You risk being prosecuted and, if you are convicted of racing and other driving offences, you may be disqualified.
“Poorly-modified vehicles can also be unsafe and excessive revving of car engines can be very disruptive to the local community.
“As well as the specific action we’ve taken to address illegal activity surrounding recent car meets, all our officers will continue to tackle street racing, dangerous & anti-social driving and other associated offences because we know the risks they pose to the public and the harm they can cause.”