News | Sunday, 08 March 2009

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Friday night fever

Most traffic accidents occur on weekends

James Debono
One in two of all traffic casualties occur on the weekend, transport statistics issued by the National Office of Statistics show.
Friday, which saw 17.1% of all accidents in 2007, is the most dangerous day of the week for drivers. On the other hand Tuesday registers the lowest number of accidents (11.5%).
1,209 traffic casualties were reported in 2007. Of these, 695 drivers sustained injuries: 550 suffered slight injuries, and 137 suffered grievous ones. Eight accidents were fatal.
During the same year, 272 passengers and 127 pedestrians suffered slight injuries, while 45 passengers and 64 pedestrians suffered grievous ones. One passenger and five pedestrians lost their lives.
The largest number of casualties occurred in the 25-39 age group. Birkirkara was the locality with the highest rate of traffic accidents, with 956 cases. Qormi and Marsa followed with 889 and 856 reported accidents respectively.
While 75.9% of casualties were caused by passenger cars, only 13.2% were caused by motorcycles.
Men are more likely to suffer from road related incidents than women. 530 males and 419 females suffered slight injuries. Moreover while 175 men suffered grievous injuries, only 71 women sustained similar injuries.
The discrepancy reflects the prevalence of male drivers on Maltese roads. In 2007, there were 132,555 male license-holders and 82,275 female motorists holding a driver’s licence.
14,013 or 64.4% of all Maltese cars were more than 10 years old. 859 or 72% of coaches and buses, and 33,061 or 76% of all lorries, were over ten years old.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt

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