THANKS to a concerned driver calling 999, a man who admitted dangerously driving a truck with a crane on the back, has been disqualified from driving.

David Sharp of Campion Close, Kent, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 16 July where he was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and fined after he admitted dangerous driving, obstructing officers and failing to provide a specimen at an earlier court appearance. The 35-year-old was also disqualified from driving for 19 months.

Upon receiving a 999 call from a concerned driver, Essex Police’s Force Control Room deployed Roads Policing Unit officers (RPU) to a report of a truck being driven dangerously – drifting between lanes, braking unnecessarily and driving along the hard shoulder several times – along the stretch of M11 southbound, between Loughton and Harlow.

It was was located on the clockwise track of M25, heading toward junction 28, where the driver was directed to stop on the hard shoulder before being arrested and taken to Harlow Police Station.

David Campion was remanded into custody to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 22 January where he pleaded guilty to all charges –dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and two counts of obstructing an officer. He was also given an interim driving ban.

Our Roads Policing Unit is dedicated to keeping roads in Essex safe for everyone, identifying offenders and bringing them to justice.

As part of Vision Zero, we’ll continue our road safety work and would ask the public to call us if they have any safety concerns.

To report incidents of poor and dangerous driving, call 101 or in an emergency call 999.

Alternatively, if you have dash cam footage, you can upload to Extra Eyes and we will review and take the appropriate action.