Huge surge in fines for speeding on Kent roads

Kent Police says speeding is one of the ‘fatal factors’ that contribute to the highest number of road collisions

The number of speeding fines issued directly by Kent police officers has risen by over 40 percent in five years, BBC South East has discovered.

More than 9,900 direct fines were issued in 2023, compared with over 6,740 in 2019.

The new figures also reveal that mobile and fixed speed cameras detected over 73,000 speeding offences last year.

Neil Greig, from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: "Sadly as traffic levels bounce back after Covid, it appears speeding is also on the rise."

Kent Police says tackling traffic offences is a priority and officers proactively target those who put other road users at risk.

Det Insp Lynn Wilczek said: "Speeding is one of the ‘fatal factors’ that contribute to the highest number of road collisions resulting in deaths and serious injuries.

"Our message to all motorists is a simple one – protect yourself and others by sticking to the speed limit."

More than 9,900 fines were issued in Kent last year

The data, revealed following a Freedom of Information request, shows that the number of drivers caught by speed cameras reached a peak in 2020, with over 84,000 detections.

The figure for 2023 was down slightly on the 77,000 speeding offences in 2022, but remains higher than the 63,000 in 2019.

Mr Grieg said: "Speed camera locations are well known so tickets from them should go down over time as they deliver safer locations."

The value of fines generated by mobile and fixed speed cameras in Kent:

2019 - £1,593,400

2020 - £2,057,100

2021 - £1,867,600

2022 - £1,821,500

2023 - £1,729,600

Source: Kent Police Freedom of Information request

Kent Police recently staged a day of action to educate drivers about speeding.

More than 300 volunteers from Community Speedwatch were deployed at locations and detected more than 1,200 drivers exceeding the limit.

'Follow rules'

The Speedwatch team has observed over 18,000 drivers speeding this year.

Motorists can receive a letter or be visited by an officer as part of the scheme.

Kent Police’s Community Speedwatch Manager Alan Watson said: "Events like these demonstrate our commitment to tackling drivers who don’t follow the rules of the road, in partnership with local communities."

Road safety charity Brake says every day five people die on UK roads and many more have serious, life-changing injuries.

Campaigns manager Lucy Straker said: "Speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads.

"It’s a factor in one in four fatal crashes.

"The science of speed is complex, but the overall message is simple – the faster the speed, the greater the stopping distance, the higher the risk of a crash and the greater the risk of death and injury."