Six fatal traffic accidents in three months

During the second quarter of 2011 (April, May and June), the number of reported traffic accidents reached 3,732, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reports. Notwithstanding the large amount, it registered a drop of 106 cases when compared to the same period last year.

Decreases were recorded in all districts, except in the Southern Harbour. Whilst the Northern district registered the biggest drop, 11.4%, the Northern Harbour registered the most accidents: 1,462 cases (38.2%).

Birkirkara registered the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 250 cases, followed by Hal Qormi with 211 and Marsa with 209 reported accidents.

During the same period, 457 traffic casualties were reported, of which 272 included drivers, where one proved to be fatal. 236 injuries in this group were slight whilst the rest were grievous.

37 persons – 17 passengers and 20 pedestrians – suffered grievous injuries, while 143 (117 passengers and 26 pedestrians) were slightly injured. The injuries suffered by five pedestrians were fatal.

The statistics also revealed that males are more prone to accidents than females: slightly injured persons totalled 208 males and 171 females; grievously-injured persons totalled 72 – the majority being males; the fatalities comprised four males and two females.

The majority of the casualties fell in the 25-39 age bracket.

NSO also reveals that 73.3% of traffic casualties were caused by passenger cars, motorcycles caused 13.6% of the casualties whilst 10.3% were caused by goods-carrying vehicles.