MORE young people are killed or seriously injured by cars in Redbridge than most other parts of London, new figures have revealed.

Despite a small drop in casualties last year, 14 teenagers died or were left badly injured after being hit by traffic in the borough last year.

Overall, the rate in Redbridge is the seventh highest out of 33 London boroughs.

In 2007, there were 19 such incidents among the same age group - also one of the highest in the capital that year.

The figures, from Transport for London (TfL), show an overall seven per cent fall of serious injuries across the capital, but the authorities admit more needs to be done to reduce death on the streets.

Chris Lines, Head of the TfL's London Road Safety Unit, said: “London has seen yet another reduction in the number of teenage casualties, but the message still needs to be loud and clear – every day a teenager is killed or seriously injured on London roads.

“The overall number of casualties may have reduced, but one casualty is one too many."

The new figures come as TfL launches a new publicity push on the issue aimed at teenagers.

A spokeswoman for the transport body said: "Young teenagers are seen as a vulnerable road user group.

"This is associated with their growing independence and the need for them to travel to school on their own before they have developed the skills to recognise the risks there are on the roads.

"This latest campaign is based on the insight that friendship is one of the most important things in young people’s lives.

"The posters are stark, showing young actors who appear to be lying against a wall. A second glance, however, reveals them to be actually lying on the road as a result of a road collision.  "The message is clear, ‘Think! Look out for your mates’. Posters have been placed around the Capital and in areas of high footfall across London borough to increase awareness of the need to pay attention when using or nearby London roads."

Overall, 367 teens aged between 13 and 19 were killed or seriously injured in London in 2008.

TfL have not revealed the proportions of how many died and how many were injured.