Bookings by wardens increased by a third between 2014 and 2015, at the same time that police contraventions dropped by three per cent, according to national data issued yesterday.

Issued by the National Statistics Office, the data shows that in 2015, traffic-related contraventions handed out by the police amounted to 52,892, with the majority issued in the northern harbour district.

The largest contravention group consisted of illegal or unauthorised parking and stopping, amounting to 22 per cent of the total. Qormi topped the list, with 3,627 contraventions.

Meanwhile, traffic-related contraventions issued by local wardens increased substantially, by 34.9 per cent in 2015 over 2014, reaching 228,361.

Nearly two-fifths were also issued in the northern harbour district.

As with the police, most contraventions booked by wardens were for illegal or unauthorised parking and stopping, making up a third of the total.

This time around, Valletta was the locality with the highest tally of contraventions issued by wardens.

The data also shows that speed camera contraventions totalled 74,101, of which 88 per cent were within the less than or equal to15km per hour over the speed limit group.

The camera that caught the most overspeeding vehicles was the one in Triq in-Nutar Żarb, Attard.

The same NSO report also refers to reported traffic accidents in 2015, which reached more than 15,500 – a seven per cent increase over the previous year.

The number of traffic casualties amounted to 1,711 in 2015 – down by 4.7 per cent. Of these casualties, 1,010 were drivers, of whom 850 suffered slight and 156 suffered grievous injuries. Four were fatal.

During the same period, 359 passengers and 185 pedestrians suffered slight injuries, while 46 passengers and 104 pedestrians suffered grievously.

The injuries sustained by two passengers and five pedestrians proved fatal, raising the total number of fatalities to 11.

Transport in 2015

Air transport over 2014

■ Passenger traffic at the MIA increased by 7.7%.

■ UK and Italy remained the two most popular destinations, with an increase in passenger movement of 4.7% and 13.4%.

■ Air Malta remained the major air carrier, followed closely by Ryanair, with an average of 120 and 165 passengers per flight.

Sea transport

■ Stock of vessels registered under the Maltese flag increased by 8.7%.

■ More than half of the newly registered vessels were pleasure yachts.

■ Embarkations and landings on cruise liners increased by 49% and 51.6%.

Road transport

■ Reported traffic accidents increased by 7% – a third of which were recorded in the northern harbour district.

■ Passenger cars accounted for 79.4% of the total licensed motor vehicles, but motorcycles registered the highest increase at 9.3%.

■ More than half of the newly licensed motor vehicles were used.

■ 221 vehicles were stolen, and two-fifths were recovered.

Emissions in 2014

■ Total CO2 equivalent emissions increased by 16.4% from 2005 levels.

■ 84% of emissions were caused by fuel combustion from road transportation.

■ Of all greenhouse gases, CO₂ had the largest share at 98%.