The number of pedestrians hit by cars in Gozo has grown fivefold over the past five years, according to official figures.

A numerical snapshot of the sister isle published by the National Statistics Office yesterday shows a huge increase in the number of pedestrians who were run over. It increased from four in 2010 to 22 last year.

The figure increased on the mainland too, up from 144 to 284.

The figures show a steady increase in the number of injuries rather than a sudden spike. While the number of pedestrians injured rose steeply, the amount of motorists hurt remained fairly stable. There was a slight increase from 24 in 2010 to 28 by the end of last year in the number of people who got hurt while behind the wheel.

The number of grievously injured motorists and passengers tripled from three to nine in the period under review. This means the collective injuries sustained in traffic accidents grew by 64 per cent.

A quick glance at the accidents in Malta shows an increase in passenger injuries from 248 to 361 in the period under review.

The number of people injured in accidents in the north end of the mainland doubled from 44 to 88.

Gozo is the region with the least vehicles on the road, with just over 30,000. The northern part of Malta has the majority, with nearly 100,000 followed by the opposite end with about 58,000 cars, bikes and trucks.

Although the figures confirm the popular belief that it has the least cars on the road, Gozo does have the majority of agricultural vehicles. A total of 461 tractors can be found there, double the amount in the south of Malta.

This newspaper reported last week that more than 1,200 road signs, bus stops and other street furniture had been replaced so far this year, “the majority” of them being damaged by motorists.