MORE than 80 law-breaking motorists were caught driving dangerously after police officers dedicated a day to cracking down on rogue road-users.

The Essex Police Colchester’s Roads Policing Unit joined forces with volunteers from School Speed Watch and Safer Essex Roads Partnership on Friday.

The collaboration came as part of the Operation Vision Zero initiative, which is designed to bring a stop to poor and dangerous driving on the roads of the county.

In total, 38 drivers were fined for not wearing a seatbelt, 20 were caught speeding and three motorists were seen driving while on their mobile phones.

Over the course of the day 81 drivers were stopped and reported for driving offences, some of which found themselves and their actions being quizzed by school pupils.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Operation Vision Zero focusses on a geographical area on a day, using a combination of enforcement and engagement, to highlight the importance of safe and legal driving.

“Essex Police and SERP aspire for Vision Zero, the ambition that no one dies or is seriously injured on roads in Essex.

“We want to highlight that making good driving decisions can have a positive impact on our roads. Everyone can join us in keeping our roads as safe as they can be by playing their part.”