Three-year cost of road accidents is £554m

Alongside the emotional price paid by grieving families and friends, every serious crash carries a hefty financial burden.

In just three years, from 2011 to 2013, road crashes cost the Kent economy £554 million according to new figures released by the Road Safety Foundation.

And the research places the A291 between Canterbury and Herne Bay among the UK’s most dangerous roads, with 19 serious or fatal accidents between 2008 and 2013.

Roads like the A291 are of particular concern to the foundation.

A-roads and motorways represent less than 10% of the UK’s road network, yet see 50% of fatal crashes.

The Road Safety Foundation says it would like to see local authorities use its research to more accurately target dangerous roads to improve safety and reduce the severity of accidents.

Caroline Moore, a senior research analyst, said: “This isn’t about asking for more money.

“All authorities have a certain budget for maintenance and road improvements, but are they able to use this budget on the roads that need the most action?

“Thirty per cent of serious crashes are run-offs. If a vehicle loses control and runs off the road, are there trees very close to the edge so they will go straight into them? Is there a barrier?

“Another third involving death or serious happen at junctions. There’s lots you can do to improve road safety at junctions.

“Do they have a right turn bay, is it simple enough for cars coming on to that major road, are there signs for vehicles warning there is a junction coming up?”

The Department for Transport puts the cost of every death or serious injury at £1,742,998.

This accounts for the cost to the emergency services, the insurance pay outs, and the loss of the contribution the victim would otherwise have made to the economy.

David and Margaret Bracewell are selling up The Furniture Store & Sleep Centre in Hythe Road in Ashford