A total of 52 people died in road crashes in Essex this year, up from 46 in 2017, according to new police statistics.

Detectives have recorded a higher number of pedestrians killed in 2018 compared with last year, and are urging drivers to work with them to try and reduce the number of fatal collisions.

Inspector Rob Brettell, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said investigations are ongoing for a number of the fatal crashes included in the figures.

“One death is always one too many and we are continuing to work with our colleagues in the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) to try and reduce the number of casualties on our roads,” he added.

“The circumstances behind these fatal collisions vary and investigations remain ongoing for a number of them.

“However, this year we saw a higher number of pedestrians killed than last year.

Inspector Brettell said: “We also know that most collisions are caused by human error, with the five factors that contribute to serious collisions being excess or inappropriate speed, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, careless and inconsiderate driving, driving while using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt.

“It is disappointing that people are risking their lives and that of others while on the roads, and we are continuing to try and tackle this through a combination of enforcement and education.”

Earlier this year, Sergeant Colin Shead warned of the devastation serious and fatal crashes have on families.

“My officers and I are sick of listening to the screams when we knock on doors and seeing the carnage,” said the roads policing sergeant, who leads a team of frontline officers in north Essex.

The power to do something about it is in motorists’ hands, he added. “If you know someone whose standard of driving is poor or unacceptable, tell them.”