There were six traffic fatalities in the third quarter this year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said in a statement that the number of reported traffic accidents in the third quarter reached 3,756, an increase of 466 cases over the same time last year.

Increases were recorded in all districts, with the biggest percentage increase (23.6 per cent) occurring in the northern harbour district. This district also registered most accidents - 1,419 cases, or 37.8 per cent of the total

In the quarter under review, 451 traffic casualties were reported, of which 288 involved drivers.

There were four fatalities among drivers, while 245 injuries in this group were slight and the other 39 grievous. Eight passengers and 15 pedestrians suffered grievous injuries, while 98 passengers and 40 pedestrians were slightly injured.

The injuries suffered by two pedestrians proved fatal.

Three fourths of traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles at 17.3 per cent; 6.7 per cent were caused by goods-carrying

vehicles.

The highest traffic casualty rate occurred on Fridays, accounting for 17.5 per cent of total casualties. Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accident.

Birkirkara registered the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 220 cases.

Qormi and St Paul's Bay came close, with 211 and 206 reported accidents, respectively.