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

In just three years between 2011 and 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.

The risk is based on the number of fatal and serious crashes per billion vehicle km travelled, and the fact there has been no reduction in the number accidents since 2008.

Combined, these two factors put the A291 in the top ten most dangerous roads in the UK according to the Road Safety Foundation.

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

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

"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" - Caroline Moore

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?

"Moving the tree or putting in a barrier isn't that expensive compared to the cost of that crash.

"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 speed limit on a notorious section of the A291 was lowered to 50mph in 2011, but the road continues to claim lives.

In the latest serious accident, a 19-year-old man was killed near the junction with Bullockstone Road on May 22.

A 24-year-old man from Canterbury was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and has been bailed until September 30.

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.

Kent County Council says it is aware of problems on the A291, and has already taken several steps to improve safety.

Further measures are planned in the future.

A spokesman said: "In terms of the A291, we have continued to maintain the road by fixing potholes, and repairing street light and signage faults.

"Since 2013 we have carried out a series of resurfacing works and reduced the speed limit to 50mph at Calcot.

"We have also carried out specific crash remedial work at the A291 junction with Sweechgate, Broad Oak, to provide a high friction surface on both approaches to the junction, refreshing the white lining and adding two new ‘Slow’ road markings to complement existing junction signs.

"We are also introducing crash remedial measures at the A291 junction with A28 Island Road, Sturry, to alter the junction lining and reduce the size of the cycle lane separator to allow buses to pull fully into the stop.

"At the A291 junction with Bushyfield Road, Herne Bay, we will alter the junction lining and introduce new road studs to improve the road environment.

Such remedial work has already has a positive effect on other roads, according to KCC.

“It should also be noted that in Kent, The Road Safety Foundation also identifies the A225 as the third most improved road in the country.

"This follows the introduction of similar crash remedial works that included adding a new pedestrian phase to signals at a junction in a 30mph stretch, improved road markings, replacement of standard sign posts with passively-safe lattix-type posts, and carriageway surfacing treatment and high friction surfacing work.”