Simple improvements to many roads such as adding more markings and signs could save 2,400 lives a year, according to a survey by the AA-led European Road Assessment Programme.

And the survey, which scores roads by calculating the number of accidents per vehicle, found that he A889, a little known twisty route in the Highlands is Britain's most lethal road, due to its lack information for drivers.

John Dawson, AA policy director, said: 'We have to make roads more forgiving. Everyday human error shouldn't carry a death sentence. We cannot demand five star cars from manufacturers and then settle, for one star roads.

The eight mile A889 between Dalwhinnie and Laggan with its sharp bends, blind dips and lack of markings was found to be nearly twice as dangerous as the next road, the A537 from Macclesfield to Buxton.

The A537 'Cat and Fiddle' route is a popular Peak District haunt of adventurous bikers, which may explain its high placing.

The third most dangerous road was the A12, a short and congested 2.5 mile stretch of road from Essex onto the M25.

Britain's 10 most dangerous roads
1. A889 Dalwhinnie-Laggan, Scottish Highlands
2. A537 Macclesfield-Buxton
3. A12 Romford-M25
4. A4137 Between A49 and A40, Ross-on-Wye
5. A628 A616-Penistone, Peak District
6. A1001 Hafield
7. A534 Welsh border-Nantwich
8. A533 Runcorn ring road
9. A682 M65 J13-A65 Long Preston
10. A13 Aveley A1306-M25.