Road deaths fall to record low

Road deaths last year fell to their lowest level since records began in 1928, figures confirmed today.

A total of 2,946 people were killed in 2007, seven per cent fewer than in 2006.

Department for Transport figures also showed that 27,774 were seriously injured (down three per cent) and 217,060 were slightly injured (down four per cent).

Deaths when the driver was over the legal alcohol limit totalled 460 last year - an 18 per cent drop on the 560 in 2006. Crashes involving younger drivers, particularly men, were more likely to relate to speed, while older drivers' accidents were more often linked to vision and judgment.

The number of children hurt in accidents fell by more than 1,000 in the first full year since new car seat laws came in.