A drop in the number of deaths recorded on UK roads over the course of 2007 has been welcomed by a road safety group.

New figures show that there were some 2,943 fatalities recorded on highways across Britain during the year - a 7% decrease on 2006, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa).

This is down from the 3,150 deaths recorded on roads during the previous year. It could be that the fall in deaths results in cheaper car insurance policies for drivers across the UK if cover firms judge highways to be safer in light of the statistics. However, more can be done to prevent deaths in future, according to Rospa head of road safety Kevin Clinton.

He said: “Measures such as reducing the drink-drive limit and changing our clocks to bring us lighter evenings all-year-round would also have a major impact on reducing deaths and injuries.”

On Thursday, a report said that it was important for motorists ensure the secondhand vehicles they buy are in good condition. Hertfordshire Trading Standards officials went undercover and bought eight cars - five of which they later found to be unroadworthy, according to the Borehamwood and Elstree Times.

According to the report, buying a used vehicle for a cheap price may seem like a good idea, but secondhand models could be more likely to break down and result in expensive repair and car insurance bills.