THE mum of a teenager killed in a car crash says the speed limit should be reduced on the road where he died.

Robert Cooter was killed just after 11pm on March 22 after the car he was driving ploughed into a telegraph pole on Wrotham Road between Istead Rise and Meopham.

An inquest into the 17-year-old’s death found no evidence he had been driving over the 50mph speed limit but had lost control of the vehicle as he went around a bend.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Dartford coroner Roger Hatch said: “Mr Cooter had only recently passed his driving test and was inexperienced in driving.

“The bend in question is not the easiest to negotiate as it does tighten up. He lost it on the bend and left the road, colliding with the telegraph pole.”

Speaking after the inquest on August 25, Robert's mum Corinne said the speed limit on that stretch of road should be reduced to 40 or 30mph.

The 46-year-old, who lived with Robert in Sun Lane, Gravesend, said: “50mph is too fast for that bend, it is obviously dangerous.

“It should be slowed to make it safer.”

Robert's pal, 18-year-old Ricky Cottiss, says he regularly drives along Wrotham Road and agrees the speed limit should be reduced.

He said: “The bend is too sharp for 50mph. The limit should be reduced so new drivers know to slow down.”

Meopham Parish Council clerk Bryan Rayner says the fatal crash involving Robert was one of a number of accidents on that section of Wrotham Road over the past 18 months.

He says the parish council views it as an accident black spot and has complained to Kent's highways agency.

A spokesman for the agency said: "We carried out a study and review of the speed limits along the whole of the A227 (Wrotham Road) between the A2 and A20 in May this year.

“The report did not recommend a reduction in speed limit on the section of road where the fatality occurred.

“However, a consultation of the report's recommendations is still being carried out with the police, fire brigade, Gravesham Council, parish councils and residents' associations.

“The views of the mother will be taken into consideration as part of this process."

There are plans to put up signs warning motorists of the sharp bend, the spokesman added.

The inquest heard Robert's Vauxhall Corsa was found upside down by the side of the road by a passing motorist, who called the emergency services.

Robert, who had represented Kent and won the English Junior Championship for petanque, a form of boules, was pronounced dead at the scene.