The number of traffic accidents rose by 1.3 per cent in the second quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. The biggest number of accidents was recorded on Fridays, totalling 611 cases, and the lowest was recorded on Sundays, with 380 cases. The highest traffic casualty rate was also on Fridays, accounting for 15.7 per cent of total casualties. Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accidents ratio.
The National Statistics Office said that between April and June there were 3,795 reported traffic accidents, an increase of 49, or 1.3 per cent, over the corresponding period last year. Decreases were registered in the Southern Harbour and Northern Harbour districts.
In the period under review, 492 traffic casualties were reported, of which 292 involved drivers. There were 263 drivers who suffered slight injuries and 28 who reported grievous injuries. The injuries sustained by one male driver proved fatal. During this period, 43 persons (17 passengers and 26 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries, while 156 (108 passengers and 48 pedestrians) were slightly injured.
Moreover, the injury sustained by one pedestrian proved fatal.
On a gender basis, slightly-injured persons in the second quarter numbered 419: 239 males and 180 females. Grievously-injured persons totalled 71, the majority being men . The largest number of casualties were in the 25-39 age group.
73.2 per cent of traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles at 15.4 per cent, while 9.8 per cent were caused by goods-carrying vehicles.
The highest traffic casualty rate occurred on Fridays, accounting for 15.7 per cent of total casualties. The highest number of accidents was also recorded on Fridays, totalling 611 cases, and the lowest was recorded on Sundays, with 380 cases. Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accidents ratio.
Most accidents occurred between 9am and noon and between 3-6pm with 798 cases in both groups, or 21.0 per cent of the total for each group. The least number of accidents occurring daily took place between3am and 6am (93 cases).
In the period under review, Birkirkara registered the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 270 cases. Qormi and St. Paul’s Bay were next, with 188 and 172 reported accidents respectively.