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

It said that in the second quarter, the number of reported traffic accidents reached 3,732, a decline of 106 cases over the corresponding quarter last year.

Decreases were recorded in all districts except for the southern harbour, with the biggest percentage drop (11.4 per cent) occurring in the northern district.

The northern harbour district registered the most accidents - 1,426 cases, or 38.2 per cent of the total.

In the quarter under review, 457 traffic casualties were reported, of which 272 involved drivers. There was one fatality among drivers.

A total 236 injuries in this group were slight, the other 35 grievous.

During this period, 37 people (17 passengers and 20 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries, while 143 (117 passengers and 26 pedestrians) were slightly injured.

The injuries suffered by five pedestrians proved fatal.

On a gender basis, slightly-injured persons numbered 379: 208 males and 171 females.

Grievously-injured persons totalled 72, the majority being males. The fatalities in the quarter under review comprised four males and two females.

The majority of male and female casualties were in the 25-39 age bracket.

A total 73.3 per cent of traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles (13.6 per cent); 10.3 per cent were caused by goods-carrying vehicles.

In the second quarter this year, Birkirkara registered the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 250 cases.

Qormi and Marsa followed, with 211 and 209 reported accidents, respectively.