Fewer reported traffic accidents

The number of reported traffic accidents in the first quarter of this year reached 3,639, a drop of 224 cases or 5.8 per cent over the corresponding quarter last year, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

There were three fatalities - all males - in that quarter.

In the period under review, 263 traffic casualties were reported. Of these, 161 drivers sustained injuries: 125 suffered slight injuries, 34 sustained grievous ones, while the injuries to two drivers proved fatal. Seventy-seven other persons - 53 passengers and 24 pedestrians - suffered slight injuries while 24 - 14 passengers and 10 pedestrians - suffered grievous ones. In addition to the two driver fatalities, one pedestrian died because of injuries.

Casualties caused by passenger cars amounted to 76.4 per cent while 11.4 per cent were caused by motorcycles. About 45 per cent of all casualties occurred between Friday and Sunday.

Birkirkara had the highest rate of accidents, with 240 cases. Qormi and Msida were close, with 227 and 214 reported accidents respectively.