Traffic accidents down by 7.7% last year

The number of traffic accidents fell by 7.7% last year when compared to 2009, with a decrease of just over 1,000 accidents in just the fourth quarter of the year.

Figures issued this morning by the NSO show that in the fourth quarter of 2010, the number of reported traffic accidents reached 3,297, a decrease of 1,065 cases over the corresponding quarter in 2009.

Decreases were recorded in all districts, with the biggest percentage decrease (33.7 per cent) occurring in the Northern district.

The Northern Harbour district registered most accidents - 1,274 cases, or 38.6 per cent of the total.

During the fourth quarter, 21 other persons (six passengers and 15 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries, while 66 (48 passengers and 18 pedestrians) were slightly injured. Furthermore, the injuries suffered by one passenger proved fatal. A driver also died.

On a gender basis, slightly-injured persons in the fourth quarter of 2010 numbered 191: 116 males and 75 females. Grievously-injured persons totalled 46, the majority being males. The fatalities in the quarter under review comprised one male and one female. The majority of casualties were in the 25-39 age bracket.

Almost 80 per cent of traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars followed by motorcycles at 11.3 per cent, while 7.5 per cent were caused by goods-carrying vehicles.

The highest traffic casualty rate during the fourth quarter occurred on Saturdays, accounting for 19.2 per cent of total casualties. The highest accident rate was recorded on Thursdays, totalling 544 cases, and the lowest on Sundays, with 309 cases. However, Saturdays topped the highest casualty-to-accident ratios.

The biggest number of accidents occurred occurred between noon and 3 p.m. with 711 cases, or 21.6 per cent of the total. This was followed by the 9 a.m. and noon time bracket, with 684 cases. The lowest number of accidents happened between 3 and 6 a.m.

Birkirkara registered the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 261 cases. Marsa and Qormi were next, with 220 and 196 reported accidents respectively.

Annual perspective

In 2010, the number of recorded accidents totalled 13,727, a decrease of 7.7 per cent over 2009. The Northern Harbour registered the highest number of traffic accidents with 5,182 cases, or 37.8 per cent of the total. Last year there were 1,079 persons (614 males and 465 females) who suffered injuries due to traffic accidents, of which 15 cases (10 males and five females) proved fatal.

Last year, 79.1 per cent of casualties were caused by passenger cars while 11.1 per cent were caused by motorcycles.

The highest number of accidents in 2010 occurred in Birkirkara totalling 895 cases, or 6.5 per cent of the total. Marsa and Qormi were next, with 794 and 781 reported accidents respectively.