The number of reported traffic accidents rose by 10.1% in the first three months of this year, compared to the first quarter of last year, the National Statistics Office said. 

The number of traffic accidents reached 3,572. Increases were recorded in all districts. The Northern Harbour district registered the most accidents, with 1,374 cases, or 38.5 per cent of all accidents.

362 traffic casualties were reported - including two fatalities.

207 drivers were injured, of whom 31 were reported as grievous. During this period, 33 other persons (10 passengers and 23 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries, while 120 (86 passengers and 34 pedestrians) were slightly injured.

The injuries suffered by one passenger and one pedestrian, both men, were fatal.

The majority of casualties (29.6 per cent), fell in the 26-40 age bracket.

The largest number of traffic casualties (76.5 per cent), were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles (16.6 per cent), and goods-carrying vehicles (5.5 per cent).

The highest traffic casualty rate occurred on Sundays, accounting for 17.7 per cent of total casualties while the highest number of accidents was recorded on Fridays, totalling 564 cases. The lowest were recorded on Sundays, with 365 cases. Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accidents ratio, with 17.5 per cent compared to an overall average of 10.1 per cent.

The daily time bracket in which most accidents occurred was between noon and 3 p.m. with 796 cases, or 22.3 per cent of the total. This was followed by 9am and noon, with 745 cases. The least number of accidents occurring daily took place between 3 and 6am (81 cases).

The highest rate of traffic accidents, was registered in Birkirkara with 283 cases. Marsa and Qormi with 208 and 174 reported accidents respectively.