Confirmation that 2008 was the lowest year for road deaths since records began has been welcomed by the IAM.

However, around seven people are still killed on our roads every day, and the slight increase in child deaths shows there is no room for complacency among the many agencies charged with delivering road safety on our roads. Less traffic on the roads due to the recession has also delivered a short term road safety bonus which will make these gains even harder to sustain as the economy rallies in the future.

The figures show that driver and rider error, such as poor reactions and failing to look properly, continue to be the most frequently reported contributory factors, suggesting that we should look at our own individual behaviour behind the wheel to bring road deaths down.

The key challenge is to get road users themselves to take responsibility for their role in reducing the number of fatal crashes.

In addition, new research based on the latest figures for 2009 from around Europe from the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) shows that many European countries are making faster progress than the UK on reducing deaths and injuries.

The UK Government needs to show strong leadership at the highest level if its target, to make Britain's roads the safest in the world, is to be delivered.