The road safety charity behind a campaign which has named and shamed the worst areas for dangerous driving offenders has called the statistics 'shocking'. 

Motorists living in the E4 postcode area of Chingford and Highams Park have been labelled among the worst for speeding in London, according to a report by Brake. 

The DVLA figures have been released to coincide with Road Safety Week.

Thousands of residents living in Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Epping Forest were issued with fixed penalty fines for careless driving and speeding in 2013, with the E4 postcode area topping the list.

There were 887 fines issued in the E4 postcode alone, making it the second highest figure for London after Croydon which had 1,088.

More fines were issued to people residing in the E4 area than in Leyton (307) and Leytonstone and Wanstead (542) combined.

Walthamstow came second in the area with 786 residents fined, followed by Woodford Green with 626.

A fixed penalty for careless driving or speeding is issued in the capital every seven minutes, and almost half of 500 primary school children surveyed in London had been hit or nearly hit travelling to school.

More than two thirds of children believed roads in their community were dangerous.

Dave Nichols of Brake, said: "It’s shocking and disappointing that so many people in Chingford have needlessly put lives in danger by taking unnecessary risks through speeding and careless driving.

"The consequences of speeding can be tragic and horrific, with lives ruined forever, just because of a moment of impatience or selfishness.

"That is why it is important for us all to look out for each other, in particular those on bike and foot, by sticking to 20 or below in towns and villages."

Since the beginning of 2013, almost one million fixed penalty notices were issued nationally with Londoners picking up 2,275 fines for careless driving and 71, 529 for speeding.

Highams Park and Hale End councillor Sheree Rackham was "not that surprised".

She said: "There are some hot spots in the area and if drivers are doing it elsewhere, the liklihood is that they are doing it here.

"Winchester Road is notorious for speeding drivers. We need traffic calming measures before someone is seriously hurt."

Waltham Forest Council introduced speed tables in Larkshall Road, Chingford, earlier this year after seven injury-related incidents in the last three years.

Inspector Caroline Mitchell of Waltham Forest Safer Transport Team, said: "We are working closely with schools in Waltham Forest to ensure the roads in their immediate vicinities are kept as safe as possible for all users, especially now the winter nights are upon us.

"Our focus is on creating awareness, prevention and keeping people safe but enforcement will be carried out where necessary."

A total of 1,952 fines were issued to people living in Epping Forest.