Road traffic casualties rise in second quarter of 2026

Road traffic casualties have risen by 16% when compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

A total of 4,072 traffic accidents were reported during the second quarter of 2026, an increase of 1.1% over the same period in 2025.

The Northern Harbour district recorded the highest number of accidents, with 1,340 cases, accounting for 32.9% of the total.

Road traffic casualties rose by 16.0% to 398 when compared to the same quarter last year. Of these, 146 people were grievously injured, comprising 86 drivers, 19 passengers and 41 pedestrians, cyclists and others.

Two drivers and one pedestrian died from their injuries, two fewer fatalities than in the same quarter of 2025.

Most of those grievously injured were male, accounting for 72.6% of the total. The three fatalities involved two men and one woman. Nearly a third of all casualties, 29.4%, were aged between 26 and 40.

Passenger cars accounted for the largest share of casualties at 41.7%, followed by motorcycles at 40.7% and goods-carrying vehicles at 6.8%.

The fatal accidents involved two drivers crashing into a property and a vehicle hitting a pedestrian.

During the quarter, 14 cyclists were involved in accidents, six of whom were grievously injured and eight slightly injured. Accidents between vehicles accounted for 57% of all casualties.

Sunday recorded the highest number of casualties, at 75, while Thursday saw the most accidents, with 662 cases, or 16.3% of the total.

The busiest time for accidents was between 12:00 and 14:59, with 942 cases (23.1% of the total), followed by 15:00 to 17:59, with 880 cases. The quietest period was between 3:00 and 05:59, with just 35 accidents.

Qormi recorded the highest number of accidents at locality level, with 223 cases, followed by Birkirkara with 211 and St Paul’s Bay with 209. Fontana, San Lawrenz, Xgħajra and Ta' Kerċem each recorded fewer than five accidents, while no accidents at all were registered in Għasri.

All districts recorded an increase in accidents except the Northern Harbour and Western districts. The Northern Harbour district saw a 1.9% decrease, while the Western district remained unchanged. The Southeastern district recorded the highest percentage increase, at 8.2%.