Its name is coldly bureaucratic: IP5. But to Portuguese drivers it is known as death highway. Since it was built with European funds 10 years ago, more than 300 people have died along the IP5 motorway, the main northern link between Portugal and Spain.

But the death last summer of a five-year-old girl has galvanised protests and given rise to a growing campaign to improve safety in a country that suffers 29 road deaths per 100,000 of the population, the highest rate in Europe.

Joana Ramos was killed when a lorry careered into the back of her family's car on the IP5. Her father, Manuel Joao Ramos, says he is determined his daughter's death should be a catalyst for change. 'Portugal is a medley of death roads,' he said. 'Public opinion has rallied around this cause in a way that has never been seen here before. It has meant a real change in the political culture.'

The IP5 death toll is unsurprising. The road descends sharply from a mountain range virtually to sea level, it has numerous hairpin bends, poorly placed road signs and stretches where the divisions between lanes are unclear. In winter ice is common. And although it is Portugal's main link to the rest of Europe, most of the road is single-lane.

The situation is made worse because, according to Mr Ramos, the Portuguese drive 'too fast and often badly'.

'The number of cars on the road has increased dramatically as the country's wealth has grown but the road safety culture lags far behind.'

The public outcry following Joana's death prompted the Portuguese government to clamp down on speeding, and the IP5 is now heavily patrolled by police. Drivers are warned that there will be 'maximum surveillance and minimum tolerance' if they break road regulations.

But campaigners insist that is not enough. They say many roads in Portugal are inherently dangerous and need to be completely rebuilt. 'There have been allegations of corruption and that some of the money used in the case of IP5, which included EU funds, was siphoned off,' said Mr Ramos.

Public anger aroused by the issue has even led to suggestions that those responsible for building dangerous roads could be sued. 'Of course my campaign has a personal element in it,' said Mr Ramos. 'I was driving the car when my daughter was killed. But what I want is to improve the situation so others don't suffer as we have done. There is no point in seeking revenge for the people who have died. They can't come back.'

Although the road safety campaign has been officially adopted by Portugal's Socialist government, some local politicians are fighting it, arguing that it could deter foreign visitors. Portugal's popular tourist destination, the Algarve, has its own death highway. The N125 from Faro airport to holiday resorts along the southern Atlantic coast has been the scene of even more deaths than the IP5. 'It is ridiculous to say that our campaign will put visitors off,' Mr Ramos said. 'People will be encouraged if they think the situation is improving. Many visitors are shocked by the poor standard of roads and driving here. The statistics speak for themselves and you cannot hope to keep them quiet for ever.'

Neighbouring Spain, with 16 road deaths a year per 100,000 of the population, has improved its road safety record by clamping down on drink-driving, and by improving its roads. Its own death highway, which ran along the Costa del Sol from Malaga to Marbella, has been replaced by a modern motorway.

The Portuguese government has announced plans to rebuild some of the country's more dangerous roads but campaigners insist they must do so soon.

'People have had enough,' said Mr Ramos. 'They have given the campaign their support and I feel a great sense of responsibility to them. We will continue to fight so that this issue remains a top priority.'