FIGURES released by a road safety charity show more than 8,000 motorists in south Essex were caught speeding in the course of a year.

Brake has released figures for the number of motorists handed fixed penalty notices for speeding and driving offences as part of its “Look out for each other”

campaign.

They show in 2013 Southend drivers were given 2,650 notices, with Basildon drivers coming second with 2,548 notices issued.

Drivers in Castle Point were handed 1,834 notices with those in Rochford receiving the fewest at 1,248.

Clare Perry, 37, of Goldings Crescent, Vange, saw her son, River, get hit by a car in February 2011.

It led to him being diagnosed with autism and she said drivers needed to take more care.

She said: “You are in charge of a killing machine. Is a driving course and fine enough?

“It’s the constant after-care that no one can fully understand – more than just his life changed that day.

“I lost the little boy I gave birth to.”

Last month, 11-year-old John Summerson, of Delware Crescent, was involved in a collision with a blue Renault Clio whilst crossing Delaware Road in Shoebury.

The Shoebury High School pupil was not seriously injured, but he lost consciousness and received stitches.

He also had to be watched over by his parents Michelle Summerson, 32 and Paul Summerson, 33, for three days in case he had any head injuries.

Mrs Summerson said: “He is a sensible boy, I have no doubt he was doing everything right.

People are not concentrating on what they are doing any more.

“Life is hectic, but it is just about going back to the basics of driving.”

Brake released the figures as part of its campaign, which urges drivers to slow down to 20mph in communities and be more aware of pedestrians.

The charity calculates that up to 95 per cent of accidents happened as a result of driver error, and reducing average speeds by one mile per hour could reduce crashes by 5 per cent.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of the charity, said: “There are wider consequences if we don’t look out for each other on roads – people afraid to walk and cycle or let their kids walk and cycle, and unable to get out and enjoy their community and live active lifestyles.”