Traffic accidents increased by 8.3% in the fourth quarter of last year over the same quarter in 2006, reaching the total of 4,027 – an increase of 310.
A total of 16,138 traffic accidents were reported for 2007, an increase of 589 over 2006.
On a quarter for quarter increase, the highest increase was registered in the Northern Harbour district, up by 185 cases or 12.6%. On an annual basis, the Northern Harbour district registered most traffic accidents, 6,447 or 39.9% of the total cases for 2007.
The fourth quarter actually registered 277 traffic casualties. Of these, 169 drivers sustained injuries: 133 suffered slight injuries and 36 suffered grievous ones. In the same period, 53 passengers and 26 pedestrians suffered slight injuries, while nine passengers and 17 pedestrians suffered grievous ones.
There were three fatalities, two drivers and one pedestrian.
On a gender basis, casualties in the fourth quarter of 2007 comprised 175 males and 102 females. Grievously-injured persons came up to 62, the majority being males. The three fatalities in this quarter comprised two males and one female. Most male and female casualties occurred in the 25-39 age group.