Half of the deaths that occurred on Malta's roads between 2015 and 2017 involved pedestrians, a report by the European Transport Safety Council has revealed. 

Researchers analysed data on urban road safety across the European Union, including Malta.

The report also shows that, apart from pedestrians, there were also deaths involving persons who were in cars or taxis. These accounted for 32 per cent of road deaths while a further 18 per cent of the fatalities involved those riding two-wheeled vehicles. 

Overall, a total of 9,500 people were killed on urban roads in the EU in 2017, accounting for 38 per cent of all road deaths. 70 per cent of those killed on urban roads were vulnerable road users: 39 per cent were pedestrians, 12 per cent cyclists and 19 per cent powered-two-wheeler (PTW) riders. Car occupants accounted for 25 per cent of all roads deaths on urban roads, the report shows. 

On the total number of road deaths over the three-year period reviewed, Malta registered the highest number in 2017, when 19 lives were lost. In the previous year, the figure stood at 14 while in 2015, 10 people had been killed.

According to data issued by the National Statistics Office earlier this year, there was a slight decrease in the number of accidents over the previous year. While not included in the European Transport Safety Council report, the NSO data showed there were 18 fatalities in 2018.

On serious injuries as a result of traffic accidents, the report showed that 30 per cent of the cases involved pedestrians while a further 30 per cent involved those in cars. The figure was slightly lower, just under 30 per cent, for those injured while on two-wheeled vehicles.