In the first quarter of this year, the number of reported traffic accidents reached 3,402, a decrease of 237 cases or 6.5 per cent over the corresponding quarter last year. Drops were recorded in most districts, the biggest decrease occurring in the Northern Harbour district, of 9.5 per cent. Gozo and Comino was the only district to register an increase in traffic accidents – 2.9 per cent.

In the period under review, 226 traffic casualties were reported. Of these, 118 drivers sustained injuries: 100 suffered slight injuries and 18 suffered grievous ones. Eighty-seven other persons – 61 passengers and 26 pedestrians – suffered slight injuries while 21 – 7 passengers and 14 pedestrians – suffered grievous ones.

On a gender basis, slightly-injured persons in the first quarter of 2009 numbered 187: 109 males and 78 females. Grievously-injured persons came up to 39, the majority being males. The majority of male and female casualties were aged 15-24.

In this quarter, the highest traffic-casualty rates occurred on Thursdays and Saturdays, both accounting for 18.1 per cent of total casualties. The highest accident rate was recorded on Mondays, totalling 526 cases and the lowest was recorded on Sundays, with 341 cases. However, Sundays topped the highest casualty-to-accident ratios.

81.6 per cent of casualties were caused by passenger cars while 7.5 per cent were caused by motorcycles.

In the period under review, Birkirkara was the locality with the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 236 cases. Qormi and Msida came close, with 210 and 190 reported accidents respectively.