One killed, 300 hurt in road accidents this year

A total of 3,294 traffic accidents were recorded in the first three months of this year. The figure is similar to the same period last year.

During this period, there were 301 traffic casualties, with 22 drivers, seven passengers and 13 pedestrians suffering grievous injuries. One accident proved fatal.

Some 77 per cent of the casualties were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles (13 per cent) and goods-carrying vehicles (eight per cent).

Males made up the highest numbers of both slightly injured and grievously injured persons. Thursdays saw the highest rate of traffic casualties, with 20.3 per cent falling on this day of the week.

Birkirkara registered the highest number of traffic accidents, with 222 cases, followed by Qormi and Marsa, with 192 and 184 respectively.

Some 21 per cent of accidents occurred between 9 a.m. and noon.