Figures from the National Statistics Office show that in the third quarter, the number of reported traffic accidents reached 3,756, an increase of 466 cases over the corresponding quarter last year. Increases were recorded in all districts, with the biggest percentage increase (23.6 per cent) occurring in the Northern Harbour district. The Northern Harbour district also registered most accidents – 1,419 cases, or 37.8 per cent of the total.

In the quarter under review, 451 traffic casualties were reported, of which 288 involved drivers. There were four fatalities among drivers, while 245 injuries in this group were slight and the other 39 were grievous. During this period, 23 persons (eight passengers and 15 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries, while 138 (98 passengers and 40 pedestrians) were slightly injured. Furthermore, the injuries suffered by two pedestrians proved fatal.

On a gender basis, slightly-injured persons in the third quarter numbered 383: 209 males and 174 females. Grievously-injured persons totalled 62, the majority being males. The fatalities in the quarter under review comprised five males and one female. The majority of casualties were in the 25-39 age bracket.

74.3 per cent of traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles at 17.3 per cent; 6.7 per cent were caused by goods-carrying vehicles.

In the third quarter, the highest traffic casualty rate occurred on Fridays, accounting for 17.5 per cent of total casualties. The highest accident rate was recorded on Fridays, totalling 577 cases, and the lowest on Sundays, with 411 cases. However, Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accident ratios.

In the third quarter this year, Birkirkara registered the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 220 cases. Qormi and St. Paul’s Bay came close, with 211 and 206 reported accidents respectively.

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