10 drivers caught doing over 96mph
Motorists have been criticised for travelling at ridiculous speed with 10 people caught doing between 97mph and 141mph last year.
Kent Police confirmed 49,898 fines were sent out in 2016, with 48,776 people captured on camera and 1,122 stopped by officers.
All five of the county’s top speeders, who were given Officer Issued Notices, were stopped around the M20.
The fastest was caught going at 109mph, according to a response to a Freedom of Information request. In 2013 a driver was clocked doing 113mph.
Speeding hotspots around the M20 include the exits for Maidstone, Wrotham and Ashford, and on the M25 clockwise at junction 5 for Clacket Lane servicesthe top figure recorded last year was 141mph.
Although the number breaking the limit has fallen by 5,590 from 2015’s figure of 55,488, the statistics show people are still driving at dangerous speeds.
The highest recorded in the past five years by a camera was in 2013 on the M25 clockwise, Swanley, where the driver was travelling at 149mph.
In April KentOnline reported how penalties have increased for those choosing to travel at above the national speed cap.
Motorists can now be fined up to £2,500.
Colin Evans, project and communications officer for the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, said: “You’ll always get the high-end violators who think the rules don’t apply to them.
“We’re able to offer the opportunity to divert the lower offenders into education. The higher end offenders only respond to punitive actions so we leave that to the courts.”
He said that while its easy for people to drive fast, what is very difficult is reacting quickly to events happening ahead.
Chief Inspector Pete Steenhuis, of Kent Police, said: “Speeding is one of the most important issues communities want the police to tackle.
“Research shows 95% of all collisions on Kent’s roads are due to driver error, and speeding increases the chance of death or serious injury significantly.
“Motorists must take responsibility for their actions and drive to the conditions of the road. A speed limit is exactly that, not a target, and slowing down could save a life.”