Traffic accidents drop by 13 per cent

The number of traffic accidents between October and December dropped by just over 13 per cent compared to the same quarter in the previous year, according to the latest statistics.

The National Statistics Office said the number of traffic accidents reported to the authorities in those three months stood at 3,497, a drop of 13.2 per cent, or 530, over the fourth quarter in 2007.

A decline was reported in all the districts, with the steepest witnessed in the northern harbour.

During the same period there were 268 casualties, with 150 drivers sustaining injuries: 115 were only slightly and 35 grievously.

Sixty-four passengers and 29 pedestrians also suffered slight injuries, while 10 passengers and 12 pedestrians suffered grievous ones. There were three fatalities - two drivers and one passenger.

The casualties involved 146 males and 122 females. Most, of either gender, occurred in the 15 to 24 age group.

Just over 80 per cent of the casualties were caused by cars while another 11.9 per cent by motorcycles.

The NSO said the number of traffic accidents for the whole year was 15,007, a drop of 1,131 over 2007.

The Northern Harbour registered the majority, at nearly 40 per cent of the total.