Road accidents increase

The number of reported traffic accidents in the fourth quarter of last year reached 4,027, an
increase of 310 or 8.3 per cent over the corresponding quarter in the preceding
year, the NSO said. The highest increase in accidents was registered in the Northern Harbour district, up
by 185 cases or 12.6 per cent.

On an annual basis, road traffic accidents totalled 16,138, an increase of 589
cases over 2006. Overall, the Northern Harbour district registered most traffic accidents,
6,447 or 39.9 per cent of the total cases for 2007.

In the fourth quarter, 277 traffic casualties were reported. Of these, 169 drivers sustained
injuries: 133 suffered slight injuries and 36 suffered grievous ones. In the same period, 53
passengers and 26 pedestrians suffered slight injuries, while nine passengers and 17
pedestrians suffered grievous ones. There were three fatalities, two drivers and one
pedestrian.