Kent Police has defended its record on speeding motorists after figures suggested its detection rates were among the lowest in the country.

The force disputes data published by the RAC Foundation that it recorded only 18,878 offences in 2017-18, down from 23,080 in 2011-12 - a drop of 22%.

The statistics would make it the fifth worst constabulary in England and Wales for catching speeders.

Scroll down for reaction from campaigners

WATCH: Speed limiters could be fitted to all new cars by 2022

But officials at Kent Police dispute the RAC figures saying said they have failed to adequately calculate all of the offences it has recorded.

"The figures quoted in the RAC Foundation report do not appear to show the full picture of the number of speeding offences that Kent Police deals with," said temporary detective chief inspector Andy Bidmead, of Kent Police's central process unit.

He said during the financial year 2016-17, the force logged 49,695 speeding offences - out of which 25,118 were dealt with by way of speed awareness courses.

The force also recorded 59,606 speeding offences in 2017-18. Out of these 31,692 were dealt with by way of speed awareness courses.

Mr Bidmead said: "The National Police Chiefs Council takes the view that the best way of dealing with speeding offences is through educational courses because this is more likely to improve driver behaviour and thus make our roads safer.

"Kent Police supports this view and follows the NPCC guidance in how cases are processed.

"Across Kent and Medway there are a number of fixed and mobile camera sites, which are implemented and managed by the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, rather than by Kent Police alone.

"Cameras are placed in certain locations by local authorities specifically with the intention of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

"They provide a proven deterrence to drivers exceeding the speed limit but are just one of a number of ways police try to keep road users safe.

"All of our camera locations may be operational at any time and it is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure they always adhere to speed limits.

"Any motorist who exceeds any variable or fixed speed limit is potentially liable to a penalty.

"It is disappointing that some people still make the decision to speed on our roads and it is vital that motorists take responsibility to drive not only within the law but also to the conditions of the road to ensure they play their part in making our roads safe.

"Alongside enforcement measures, we also carry out regular engagement, education and awareness campaigns to drive the safety message home.

"In addition, there are a number of local, national and European road safety operations that Kent Police officers carry out every year alongside regular patrols."

Avon and Somerset caught the most speeding motorists, according to the RAC Foundation, with 199,337 offences recorded, followed by West Yorkshire with 174,796 and the Met Police area (including City of London) with 139,318.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said there could be many reasons to explain some of the huge differences between forces such as geographical area, road type and traffic volume.

"But a lot of it will come down to the local policing priorities," he said.

"It is the job of Police and Crime Commissioners, and chief constables, to target resources appropriately, recognising the issues of greatest local concern.

"Changes and variations in the numbers of offences detected will reflect not just driver behaviour but also the extent of enforcement activity in any one year.

"Drivers tempted to flout the law should recognise that any targeted crackdown on speeding to curtail risky behaviour could swiftly be repeated if those reckless attitudes start to re-emerge."

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said the RAC Foundation figures should be taken with a "pinch of salt" due to differences in the financial resources available to each police force and the type of roads within its geographic area.

Acting head of road safety Nick Lloyd told KentOnline: "The key message is that speeding kills and breaking the speed limit is putting drivers and other road users at risk.

"What we know is the faster a driver goes the longer it will take them to stop and the greater the impact and the result of the collision and this is why new legislation has been proposed by the European parliament that all new vehicles will have intelligence speed systems put in place from 2022."

WATCH: Less than 25% of speed cameras in Kent are active

The charity, which aims to save lives and prevent life-changing injuries caused by road crashes, is strongly in favour of the introduction of the mandatory speed limiters.

"Technology has got an important part of play in speed management," said Mr Lloyd.

"I think everybody recognises that the advantages of the motor car are huge, it gives us freedom and independence and that is fantastic, but the downside is they have the potential to kill and maim.

"Unfortunately we've tried a whole raft of measures over the years from publicity campaigns, traffic calming, enforcement cameras, education and training, and we are still getting a sizeable minority of the population who insist on driving anti-socially and above the speed limits.

"It's disappointing really that these measures have to got be considered but they will protect lives and ultimately that is the most important thing."

KMTV earlier reported less than 25% of speed cameras in Kent were active.

A Freedom of Information request to police revealed of the 77 cameras located around the county only 19 were operational.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent