DRUG drivers were arrested and three cars seized during a road policing operation, in Chelmsford yesterday (May 25).

Number plate recognition equipment was used to identify suspect vehicles, which were then intercepted and taken to stop-check sites at the Boreham services and Broomfield Road.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of drug driving after failing a roadside test.

Sargent Dave Rudd from the Casualty Reduction Section said: “Drug driving puts not only the life of the driver at risk but the lives of other innocent road users too.

“Drug driving is totally unacceptable and our message is clear – if you take drugs and drive it is only a matter of time before you are caught and put before the courts.”

A 35-year-old man from Westcliff was arrested at the Boreham site at 2.30pm, and released on bail pending further investigation until July 29, 2016.

A 28-year-old man from Colchester was arrested at the same sport, two hour before.

He was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, driving without insurance, and has been released on bail pending further investigation until July 20.

A 28-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of making off without payment in Parkway, Chelmsford at around 6.50pm.

He remains in custody.

Mr Rudd continued: “We are training more officers in the use of the roadside drug testing kits and will continue our efforts to keep the roads safe.

“However the community has a significant part to play in this.

Our efforts can only be strengthened by the flow of information from members of the public so I would ask anyone with information about people who take drugs and get behind the wheel to report it.”

Three vehicles were also found to be over the legal weight limit including a Range Rover attempting to tow a large boat to Suffolk.

The driver was fined £100, prohibited from continuing his journey and had to arrange for a crane and loader to transport the boat.

A total of 37 people were dealt with for not wearing a seatbelt including the parents of a three-year-old child who wasn’t restrained in a car seat.

Eighteen people were spotted using a mobile phone behind the wheel and three vehicles were seized because their drivers didn’t have appropriate insurance.

Twelve vehicles were found not to have a valid MOT and two were dealt with for failing to stop at a red traffic light.

A total of 18 drivers were dealt with for speeding offences and three for driving otherwise than in accordance with the terms of their licence.

Fines totalling £600 were also issued for driver hours offences.