14,940 traffic accidents with 19 fatalities in 2017

There were 14,940 traffic accidents in 2017, with a total of 19 fatalities, NSO statistics show.

This amounted to 77 less accidents and four less fatalities than 2016.

For the fourth quarter, there were 3,450 traffic accidents, with the Northern Harbour district registering the most accidents with 1,398 cases.

Traffic casualties increased by 8.3 per cent to 405 over the same period in 2016, of which 246 accidents involving drivers.

The amount of drivers who sustained slight/insignificant injuries was 206, while 39 cases were reported as grievous. Another 36 persons (9 passengers, 23 pedestrians/others, 4 cyclists) suffered grievous injuries.

There were also 61 passengers, 52 pedestrians/others and 9 cyclists who were slightly/insignificantly injured. Furthermore, the injuries suffered by one driver and one pedestrian were fatal.

On a gender basis, slightly/insignificantly injured persons in the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to 328; 195 males and 133 females.

Grievously-injured persons totalled 75; of whom the majority were males. The fatalities comprised of one male and one female. The majority of casualties fell in the 41- 59 age bracket.

The largest number of road traffic casualties (64.0 per cent) were caused by passenger cars, followed by motorcycles (24.9 per cent) and goods-carrying vehicles (5.9 per cent).

The two fatalities comprised of a motorcycle driver and a pedestrian who was hit by a passenger car

The highest road traffic casualty rate occurred on Sundays, accounting for 16.3 per cent of total casualties, while the highest number of road traffic accidents (547) was recorded on Wednesdays. Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accidents ratio, with 17.9 per cent compared to an overall average of 11.7 per cent

The daily time bracket in which most accidents happened was between 09:00-11:59, with 724 cases, or 21.0 per cent of the total.

This was followed by the 12:0014:59 time bracket, with 722 cases. The least number of accidents occurring daily took place between 03:00 and 05:59 (86 cases).

The highest rate of traffic accidents was registered in Birkirkara with 329 cases. Ħal Qormi and Mosta were next, with 188 and 146 reported accidents respectively.