A DRIVER thought to be on drugs, 19 mobile phone users and 39 motorists not wearing a seatbelt were pulled over on a police day of action.

On Wednesday (March 21) officers from Essex Police's casualty reduction section camped out in Loughton. 

They stopped 39 drivers without seatbelts and 19 on the phone, giving them each six points and a fine. 

A 46 year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. 

He was arrested pending further enquiries.

Eleven drivers were found to be driving without a valid MOT and a further eleven were caught speeding.

Two drivers had no valid insurance and had their cars seized, and one driver was found to be driving while disqualified.

A further 13 verbal warnings were made during the operation.

Matt Hine, operational tasking supervisor at the casualty reduction section, said: “Driving without wearing a seatbelt poses a serious and potentially fatal risk, not just to you but to everyone else in the vehicle at the time.

"It is an avoidable risk and it’s really important that this offence remains an absolute priority for Essex Police and our partners within the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.”