BRITAIN: The number of people killed on Britain's roads fell last year to the lowest level since records began in 1926, new figures show.
There were 3,221 deaths in 2004 - 8 per cent fewer than in 2003, statistics published by the department for transport show.
The dip in the death toll will please the government, as deaths had risen slightly in 2003 compared with 2002. The rise in 2003 had prompted those opposed to the proliferation of speed cameras to maintain that the devices were not aiding road safety.
"The figures released today are very encouraging," said road safety minister Stephen Ladyman. "However, one year's figures should not make anyone feel complacent. Nearly nine people a day still died in road accidents last year and that figure is still too high."
He said the government was taking a road safety bill through parliament.
The figures for England, Scotland and Wales show that 34,351 people were killed or seriously injured in 2004 - 8 per cent fewer than in 2003 - and that there were 280,840 road casualties (including those killed, seriously injured and slightly injured) in the same year - 3 per cent less than in 2003.
However, the number of pedal cyclists killed rose by 18 per cent to 134 in 2004, while total casualties among pedal cyclists fell by 2 per cent. "The obvious bad news is the rise in cyclist deaths at a time of apparent fall in cycling," said Robert Gifford, executive director of the parliamentary advisory committee for transport safety.
Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: "The increasing focus on speed cameras and decline in traffic police means that offences such as drug-driving and careless driving could be going unchecked."