While official data is still being compiled, the number of injuries due to serious traffic accidents this Christmas seems to be lower than previous years, the Health Ministry has told The Malta Independent.

Hospital sources had told this newsroom that the Emergency Department was quieter this Christmas Eve than previous years. This may be due to less traffic on the roads as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is also possible that drink-driving campaigns are becoming more effective.

A spokesperson for the health ministry said that, “the overall number of patients who presented during this festive season with complaints related to serious road traffic accidents was less than usual.”

The ministry said that, while statistics for this Christmas period are still being compiled, traffic accidents had already decreased by the third quarter of 2020.

A recent report by the National Statistics Office said that the number of reported traffic accidents in the third quarter this year reached 3,167, down by 24.4 per cent over the same period in 2019.

Road traffic casualties decreased by 31.0 per cent to 310 over the same period in 2019.  

This phenomenon was also recorded in Q2 2020, but the difference in Q1 (pre-COVID) was just that of around 8%.

“We are expecting that this trend to continue through the festive season,” the ministry continued.

“Most road traffic incidents are due to human error. Unfortunately, some may still be attributable to the use of alcohol and/or drugs. Given the usual festivities and social gatherings which lead to increased alcohol consumption over this period, the incidence of such incidents increases. This year we are hopeful that with a general increased awareness,less traffic on the roads, celebrations in smaller groups and less outdoor activities, the number of incidents remains low.”