Road traffic accidents down 9.2% in Q2 2025, but fatalities increase slightly

Aug 6, 2025 9:34 am CEST

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Malta witnessed a significant decline in road traffic accidents during the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest statistics released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). A total of 4,026 traffic accidents were reported between April and June, representing a 9.2% drop compared to the same period in 2024. Despite the improvement in overall numbers, the number of fatalities increased, raising concerns over the severity and nature of some incidents.

The Northern Harbour district remained the country’s most accident-prone area, registering 1,366 cases or 33.9% of all reported accidents. Every district reported a decline in incidents, with the South Eastern district recording the largest percentage decrease at 15.7%, while the Southern Harbour showed only a marginal drop of 1.2%.

Casualties down, but fatalities edge up

Encouragingly, road traffic casualties decreased by 16.1%, totaling 343 persons. However, fatalities increased to five, compared to three during the same quarter in 2024. These included:

Three drivers (one involved in a vehicle collision, two crashed into property)
One pedestrian
One cyclist, hit by a vehicle

Among the 108 grievously injured, 73 were drivers, 13 passengers, and 22 pedestrians or cyclists. The majority (69.4%) were male, and those aged 26 to 40 years made up 39.4% of all casualties.

Motorcyclists and cyclists remain high-risk groups

Motorcycles were involved in 42.9% of traffic casualties, closely trailing passenger cars, which accounted for 45.8%. Notably, 13 cyclists were involved in traffic incidents this quarter:

1 fatality
3 grievous injuries
9 slight injuries

This continued pattern points to the vulnerability of two-wheeled road users, highlighting the need for better cyclist safety measures and public awareness.

Accident timing and frequency patterns

Analysis of time-based trends revealed:

Most accidents occurred between 09:00 and 11:59 (22.0%), followed closely by the 12:00-14:59 slot (21.9%)
Tuesdays saw the highest accident rate, accounting for 16.0% of all cases
Thursdays saw the most casualties (58 persons)
The least risky period was between 03:00 – 05:59, with only 33 incidents

Such insights could inform targeted traffic enforcement and public safety campaigns, especially during peak hours and days.

While the overall decrease in accidents and injuries paints a positive picture, the increase in fatalities – especially involving cyclists and pedestrians – raises red flags. Experts may call for more robust road infrastructure, dedicated cycling lanes, and enhanced enforcement of traffic regulations, particularly in high-incident areas like the Northern Harbour.