POLICE have raised concerns over the number of dangerous drivers in the county after new figures revealed a rise in the amount of people killed in road crashes in 2012.

The number of victims has reduced in recent years, with 41 killed on the county’s roads in 2011, but in 2012 there were 48 people killed in 46 collisions.

Police chiefs are now calling on motorists to take extra precautions when driving.

Road Policing Chief Inspector Rachel Nolan said: “The figures are disappointing and we can only hope our road safety messages hit home in 2013. These fatal crashes are needless.”

She added: “The four main contributing factors being road crashes, whether they result in death or not, are failure to wear a seat belt, mobile telephone abuse, drink-driving or speeding.

“All road users must be aware of this. If all of these factors were cut out and motoring laws adhered to then people would not be injured or killed.”

A number of initiatives have been set up between Essex police and councils to reduce the number of casualties.

The Essex Casualty Reduction Board, which consists of police, the county council and fire service, funds a variety of road safety operations to improve the road skills and general awareness of motorists.

Chief Insp Nolan said: “We will continue to rigorously enforce offences relating to the four key road safety factors throughout the next 12 months.”

In 2012, 3,600 people were injured in collisions, with 670 of those being classed as serious.

In 2011, 4,000 people were injured in collisions with 745 being classed as serious.