The number of traffic accidents between July and September increased by seven per cent compared to the same period in 2013, says the National Statistics Office.

In a breakdown for the third quarter of this year, the NSO found that the number of accidents totalled 3,802, an increase of 247 over the previous year.

Increases were registered in all districts except the north, which showed a relatively admissible dip.

There were 517 traffic casualties reported during the three-month period, of which 309 were drivers.

Some 270 of the motorists suffered slight injuries with a sixth reporting grievous injuries.

Meanwhile, 19 passengers and 16 pedestrians suffered grievous injuries. The injury sustained by one pedestrian also proved to be fatal.

As is the trend, three-quarters of the traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars with most accidents occurring on Saturdays, 16 per cent.

The lowest rate was recorded on Sundays, with 367 cases. Birkirkara saw the most accidents with 219 cases. Qormi and St Paul’s Bay were next, with 192 and 188 reported accidents respectively.