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Dartford A282 Tunnel approach named the road in Kent where you're most likely to be issued a speeding ticket

Nearly two motorists are caught speeding every hour on a busy stretch of road in Kent where – statistically speaking – you're most likely to be issued a ticket.

Of the county's cameras, the one positioned on the Dartford Tunnel approach, stung the most drivers.

The Dartford Tunnel approach has been named the road in Kent where you're most likely to get a speeding ticket. Stock picture
The Dartford Tunnel approach has been named the road in Kent where you're most likely to get a speeding ticket. Stock picture

Motorists set off the flash on the A282 trunk – which connects the M25 orbital network running between Kent and Essex – a total of 52,548 times between January 2019 and March this year.

That's according to a new study by leasing experts Car Lease Special Offers, who also revealed the Dartford Crossing speed camera gives out the second most fines in the UK.

This was at an average of 44 flashes per day and 1.8 per hour.

A Freedom of Information request was sent to 44 police forces in the UK. It revealed the M25 strip between junctions 7 and 16 in Surrey had the most total activations at 75,805.

This was followed closely by the Dartford Tunnel approach which featured second on the list despite the road frequently being subject to speed restrictions.

Lane closures are often put in place in busy periods due to accidents near the Crossing with long tailbacks stretching back miles.

The only other camera in Kent to feature in the top 10 was also on the M25 network.

It is located close to the Clacket Lane motorway services at junction 5 near Westerham, Sevenoaks and recorded 29,227 activations at an average rate of 25 flashes a day.

Overall, Kent was ranked the fifth worst area for speeding offences caught on camera with 251,833 flashes. That amounted to 212 flashes a day at a rate of eight per hour.

The area that set off the flash most frequently was West Yorkshire where drivers clocked up a huge 1,005,830 offences over a three-year period.

Speeding is still the most common driving offence in the UK.

"While speeding continues to be the biggest offender when it comes to driving fines, it's important to remember to stick to the speed limit and avoid dangerous driving that could cause harm to yourself and other road users."

Despite the thousands of motorists breaking the law government figures show that the number of fatalities in Kent from crashes – whether this be a pedestrian killed or a driver – is at the lowest it's been this decade.

In 2019 there were 4,195 accidents in the county.

Of the 800 "serious or fatal" crashes from this statistic 39 resulted in a death. Whereas in 2010 the figure was 56 and while this has fluctuated from year to year, it has never been as low as 39.

The Highway Code states that a speeding fine is £1,000, which rises to £2,500 for motorway offences. In addition you could also receive 3-6 points on your licence.

Will Bullen, an automotive expert at Car Lease Special Offers, said: "While speeding continues to be the biggest offender when it comes to driving fines, it's important to remember to stick to the speed limit and avoid dangerous driving that could cause harm to yourself and other road users.

"Before you travel make sure you know the route you wish to travel on or research it before you go on a trip, and leave yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination to avoid having to speed up and get caught by a camera."

Last year, Kent County Council pledged to try to cut fatalities on the county's roads to zero by 2050.

The authority unveiled a "vision" to introduce 20mph zones in towns and villages, as well as roll out extra speed cameras.

Of the 44 police forces approached by Car Lease not all replied, while some refused to offer either the full amount of requested data – or any at all.

The exact request related to the location of each speed camera in their area, as well as how many times those cameras had been activated by someone driving over the designated speed limit. This covered both fixed and mobile speed cameras.

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