Most of you believe the quality of driving in Kent is seriously lacking – but should more blame be directed at those responsible for guiding motorist through the county's road networks?

Last week, Kent Online told of an independent website set up to allow members of the public to 'name and shame' bad drivers.

The story provoked strong reaction on our SpeakOut on the standard of driving on the county's roads - despite Kent Police insisting things are generally rather good.

Alan Edwards from Thanet wrote: "I seem to witness appalling driving on every journey I make. The blatant use of mobile phones whilst driving seems to be on the increase."

Trudi Nicholls, from Sheerness, agreed, saying standards had gotten "extremely bad" in recent years and was surprised not to see more accidents on the roads.

The 'aptly' named Stirling Goss added: "There are too many people who only think about themselves or are just too stupid and unable to think for themselves but we still give them driving licences.

"Most accidents are not caused by speed, but by stupid, lazy and impatient driving that is going unpunished because of the lack of police patrols."

And while Richard Seamon felt a 'name and shame' driving website was a well-meaning, if misguided, idea, he gave drivers in his former home town a backhanded compliment: "Ashford drivers are saints compared to those in Cheshire, who are by far and away the worst drivers I have ever encountered - and I served six years at the Dartford Crossing so have seen more than enough."

But A-Class School of Motoring instructor Mark Snowden, who has been teaching on Kent roads for 14 years, suggested that a far bigger problem was the amount of bad signage and incorrect markings on Kent roads that leave drivers floundering.

"The big problem is that the council and authorities don't seem to know how to mark roads or how to put the right signs up.

"One single lane road I drove down had a dual carriageway sign instead of a roundabout warning! At a local supermarket, the road markings on the approach are all over the place.

"Nobody knows what they are doing because of these errors."

He added: "The councils don't ask the driving examiners and instructors, who are on the roads everyday, about where road markings should go when they are resurfacing or changing layouts.

"Instead, they get in 'experts' from somewhere up north who don't know anything about the area."

But Mr Snowden, 55, added that plenty of problems were caused by inconsiderate drivers who flout the rules until they are caught – which is rare.

He said: "I am all in favour of the 'naming and shaming' websites, but it really doesn't make any difference at the end of the day because there aren't enough boys in blue to enforce the penalties."

Chief Inspector Phil Hibben from Roads Policing at Kent Police said: "The standard of driving on Kent’s roads is generally good and most motorists are responsible behind the wheel.

“But a minority of people put themselves and others at risk by driving dangerously or without due care.

“Kent Police patrol the county’s roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ensure that an appropriate balance is achieved between enforcing the law and educating the community about how to stay safe.”