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STAFF REPORTER CENTRAL government delegate in the Balearics, Ramon Socias, reported yesterday that 32 less people died last year in traffic accidents in the region than the number who lost their lives on the roads during 2007.

A total of 72 fatalities were recorded last year, 56 men and 16 women, whilst a significantly higher toll of 104 deaths occurred in 2007. Socias was nevertheless careful to reiterate the slogan of the government's Traffic Movement department which reads: “Just one death on the roads is one too many.” Socias said that 8 fatalities from last year happened on motorways and 44 on conventional roads whilst a further 13 happened in built up areas. Of the 65 accidents which claimed lives in the Balearics last year, 34 happened during the day-time and the remainder at night. The central government delegate said that 43 of the 72 who died lost their lives in spite of wearing a safety belt in the case of cars, or a helmet in the case of motorcycle accidents. Of the 72 who died, 32 were under 30 years of age and only 9 were over 65.

In terms of nationality, 51 fatalities were Spanish and the remainder either from other EU countries or outside it. Majorca's deaths totalled 51, Minorca's 11; and 10 died on Ibiza and Formentera.