A new initiative has been launched which aims to cut the number of road deaths in Essex to zero.

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), which includes the police and fire service, Essex County Council and the Essex Air Ambulance, was officially launched at Hylands House, Chelmsford, yesterday.

SERP chairman Nicola Foster said: “We hope to recruit more partners, people and organisations to work with us towards a vision of zero deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads.

“The vision is aspirational but one we believe can be achieved together.

“We are also launching the Small Changes Pledge. It is everybody’s responsibility to make sure everyone using the road makes it home safely.

“We believe if everyone makes a small improvement to their driving, riding or walking behaviour, collectively it could make a large change to the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on the roads.”

Last year 38 people were killed on Essex roads, with 39 dying in 2013.

In the first six months of this year there have been 20 fatalities and 304 serious injuries.

County councillor Rodney Bass, chairman of the Essex Casualty Reduction Board, added: “The safety of the people of Essex has always been a top priority. This partnership aims to raise awareness on a mass scale, encouraging everyone on the county’s roads to do their bit.

“It is only by working together that we can achieve our joint ambition of zero deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads.

“If everyone does their part we can make a real difference to road safety and end the tragedy of deaths on our roads.”

Highways England is also involved, as are Thurrock and Southend councils.