Whilst these latest government figures may seem encouraging they still represent nearly 8 people a day killed on UK roads each day. Around 1/3 of these occur whilst people were driving 'for work' . . .

The number killed on UK roads has reached a record low

There were 2,538 people killed on Britain's roads in 2008, which is the lowest annual total since records began in 1926.

That is 14% down on the 2007 figure. The highest recorded post-war annual total was nearly 8,000 in 1966.

Statistics show the total number of casualties, which includes deaths and both serious and slight injuries, stood at just under 231,000 in 2008 - also 7% down on the previous year.

Despite the overall falls, 124 children were killed on the roads last year - three more than 2007's record low figure in this category. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents described this as "unacceptable".

The number of casualties among cyclists also rose 1%, although there were 15% fewer deaths at 115.

Some 572 pedestrians died, down 11%, while 493 motorcyclists were killed, down 16%.

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