The speed cameras raking in the most money in Kent
The speed camera which has caught the highest number of drivers over the past five years has been revealed.
A total of £1,683,100 has been raised from the fines given to those breaking the limit near the Dartford Tunnel.
Since 2019, a total of 64,214 motorists have been ticketed on this stretch of the M25.
While the approach road was the top earner from 2019 to 2022, it was only the fourth in 2023.
Last year, the camera which generated the most revenue across Kent was the M25 Clockwise Junction 5 to Clacket Lane Services, making £261,000 from 10,011 tickets.
The next three include the M25 Swanley, the A229 Chatham Road (Blue Bell Hill) and Dartford Tunnel Approach Road, all bringing in more than £200,000.
The fifth top-earning speed camera in the county was Hoath Way in Gillingham, raking in £103,800 from 2,181 tickets.
But Kent Police were keen to point out the money does not go to the force.
Chief Inspector Craig West, head of the road's policing unit, said: “The monies paid by the driver will go into His Majesty’s court service.
“The roads mentioned are particularly busy with higher volumes of traffic, hence the higher enforcement rate.
“The locations of the fixed camera sites are determined on the casualty rates at particular locations, so we will only put a camera at a location where we’re going to have a positive influence on road safety.
"Again they are very frequently used roads and highways, so they’re going to naturally enforce against a higher volume of road users.
“Kent Police has worked tirelessly with partners to make Kent’s roads safe and I’m really pleased to say that we have reduced the amount of people that have been killed on Kent’s roads.”
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, inappropriate speed is a factor in 11% of injuries, 15% of serious injuries and 24% of the deaths which happen on our roads.
Every year an average of 300 people are killed and more than 2,500 seriously injured because of vehicles driving too fast.
In Ramsgate, one mum is calling for a speed calming measure on Dumpton Park Drive after her son died in a crash in 2023.
Ethan Entwistle, 18, died when the Seat Ibiza he was a passenger in collided with a tree in Dumpton Park Drive near the junction with Bay View Road in Broadstairs.
Emergency services were called at about 3.20am on October 1, but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, two days before his 19th birthday.
A man was arrested following the collision but was released on bail pending further inquiries.
Following his death, Ethan's mum, Keena Entwistle-Lewis has supported the Dumpton Park Drive Safety Group to encourage people to drive slower on the road.
Speaking to KMTV, she said: “What I would like is the speed flashing lights. I work in a school I know lots of people are visual learners if you’ve got something flashing at you it’s going to make you more aware than a stationary sign.
“There’s no crossing patrols or anything along this road which will let people safely cross."
The mum-of-two also wants the speed limit to be lowered and speed cameras which monitor the average speed installed.
She said: “When people know there’s a speed camera they tend to slow down but if it’s doing your average speed you can tend to forget it’s there so hopefully this would calm people down and make them think.”
Keena’s been in touch with Kent County Council about reducing the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph.