A crash along a danger route that left two men in a serious condition has sparked fears a child could be run over next.

The driver, who is in his 20s, and the passenger were travelling in a black Toyota Auris in Dane Valley Road, Margate, when the vehicle smashed into a tree on January 21.

The incident took place after it was revealed mum-of-two Georgina Botterman had three cars written off in as many years along the thoroughfare.

And now residents have launched a campaign demanding a 20mph speed limit is enforced in the area.

Mrs Botterman said: “I definitely worry about my children’s safety.

“The other day I was getting my daughter in the car for school and she said to me ‘quick lets get in before a car hits our house’, so it’s affected her as well.

“It’s definitely something I’m really worried about.”

The 43-year-old has lost three cars to drunk or speeding drivers. The first incident involved Mrs Botterman’s husband’s Mini, when a group of young men hit the parked car.

The driver fled the scene.

Most recently, a stolen car “took the whole front off” her Fiat in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

She is one of scores of locals lobbying Kent County Council to slash speeds along the road.

“We need to reduce the speed,” Mrs Botterman added.

“I know that won’t hit everybody where it hurts, but there will be those who will still listen as there’s plenty of casual speeders during the day.

“We also need other speed control measures like chicanes.

“A speed camera would be great as well but it needs to be a multi-modal approach, not just one thing.

“At the moment we are campaigning for 20mph but certainly other measures should be considered by Kent County Council and the police.”

Mrs Botterman hopes a lower speed limit will reduce the frequency of accidents and protect her four- and eight-month-old daughters.

Dane Valley Residents’ Association secretary Joe Manclark, who has lived in the area for 40 years, says neighbours “are just sick” of the speeding.

“A number of accidents have been reported to our group and also damage to parked vehicles,” he added.

“Our residents are just sick of it; they want change.

“They want to enforce things that will make people slow down, and reduce the risk of damage and harm.

“The last accident here they went into the tree, but next time a car could plough into someone waiting for the bus, maybe a buggy or children, or an old couple waiting to get into town.”

The petition calling for the 20mph limit has been signed by almost 320 people.

County council officials say “traffic calming in the form of kerb buildouts and speeds cushions are already in place” along the route.

They also stress the “Department for Transport’s criteria for installing safety cameras has not been met”.

Responding to the residents’ concerns, insp Ian Swallow, of Thanet’s Community Safety Unit, said: “Traffic operations and speed checks are regularly carried out in Thanet by officers.

“A recent speed check was held in Dane Valley Road on January 13, when two vehicles failed to stop for officers.

“Enquiries resulted in one of the cars being found and seized. A number of other vehicles were reported for speeding over the evening.

“If people witness anti-social driving in their streets, report it via our website, or by calling 999 if a crime is in progress, so that officers are aware and appropriate action can be taken.”