ESSEX drivers are among the worst in the country for speeding, new figures have revealed.

Statistics published after police forces across the country responded to a freedom of information request show almost 92,000 speeding offences were recorded in Essex last year - the fourth highest in the country.

Campaigners have called motorists' continued speeding "astounding".

In response to the figures, Daniel Parsons, Essex Police roads policing inspector, said: "Essex Police remains committed to improving road safety on the county’s roads and achieves this through working closely with partners as part of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.

"This delivers a range of measures including education, engagement and enforcement.

"Speed is recognised as a major contributory factor to many fatal and serious injury collisions; as such a great deal of time and effort is dedicated to addressing this issue at a strategic level."

Each of the 91,705 offences were dealt with by issuing a formal warning, sending drivers on a £100 speed awareness course, handing out a £100 fine and three penalty points or court summons.

Insp Parsons added: "We continue to operate within a challenging environment and Essex Police now targets enforcement and education activity based on threat, harm and risk.

"The overall strategy is to work towards a behavioural change for all road users through re-education of low end offenders and prosecution of the more serious examples of behaviour."

Dominic Gaynor, managing director of TeamSport Indoor Karting, which collated the figures, said: "The data we have collated is astounding - it seems motorists in the UK are driving fast and completely ignoring the limits put in place.

"The speeds recorded are dangerous and drivers really need to think before they take to the wheel, their own safety and that of others is paramount on the roads."

Avon and Somerset, Thames Valley, Greater Manchester recorded the most speeding offences.

In total, there were 2,293,228 offences in the UK in 2016.

The figures also show the top speed recorded in UK was in Suffolk, when a driver was caught doing 154mph.