There were five traffic fatalities being April and June, according to statistics released today by the National Statistics Office.

The NSO said there were 4,331 accidents during the period, 5.9 per cent more than in the same period last year.

Most - 1,647, were registered in the northern harbour district. This comprises Birkirkara, Gzira, Qormi, Hamrun, Msida, Pembroke, San Gwann, Sta Venera, St Julian’s, Swieqi, Ta’ Xbiex, Pieta and Sliema.

Traffic casualties increased by 8.7 per cent to 498 over 2015, of which 321 (64.5 per cent) involved drivers, 273 of whom sustained slight injuries, 46 grievous.

Another 34 persons (nine passengers and 25 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries. There were also 100 passengers and 40 pedestrians who were slightly injured. The injuries suffered by two drivers, one passenger, one pedestrian and one cyclist were fatal. There have been nine traffic fatalities since the beginning of the year.

The largest number of traffic casualties (66.9 per cent) were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles (22.3 per cent) and goods-carrying vehicles (6.8 per cent).

The highest traffic casualty rate occurred on Sundays, accounting for 17.5 per cent of total casualties. Sundays also had the lowest number of accidents making the day top the casualty to accident ratio with 18.8 per cent compared to an overall average of 11.5 per cent.

The highest number of accidents were recorded on Mondays.

The highest rate of traffic accidents was registered in Birkirkara with 354 cases. Qormi and Marsa followed, with 225 and 207 reported accidents respectively.