Traffic accidents: Highest rate of accidents on Mondays, most casualties on Saturdays

The number of reported traffic accidents in the fourth quarter of last year reached 3,533, an increase of 51 cases over the corresponding quarter in 2011, the NSO said today. There were four fatalities. Increases were recorded in four districts, with the biggest percentage increase (12.9 per cent) recorded in the Northern district. The Northern Harbour district registered the most accidents - 1,364 cases, or 38.6 per cent of the total. CASUALTIES 384 traffic casualties were reported, of which 221 involved drivers. There were two fatalities among drivers, while 181 injuries in this group were slight and another 38 were reported as grievous. During the period under review 38 other persons (20 passengers and 18 pedestrians) suffered grievous injuries, while 123 (88 passengers and 35 pedestrians) were slightly injured.The injuries suffered by two pedestrians proved fatal. On a gender basis, slightly-injured persons in the fourth quarter numbered 304: 170 males and 134 females. Grievously-injured persons totalled 76, the majority being males. The fatalities in the quarter involved three males and a female. The majority of casualties were in the 25-39 age bracket. 64.3 per cent of...