It is the third successive year in which traffic accidents have risen.

But although many motorists need to be more alert, fewer are being caught driving under the influence, Police say.

Last year saw an 11 percent drop over 1993 in people arrested for impaired driving.

Said Police spokesman Insp. Roseanda Jones: "Personally I think the decline is a direct result of all the public service announcements by the Road Safety Council, and also the consistency of sentencing of impaired drivers.'' She added persistent Police patrols were also making the roads safer.

Insp. Jones pointed out, however, crashes involving impaired drivers had gone up -- one resulting in a death.

Accident and alco-analyser statistics were revealed by Police yesterday.

Last year there were 2,842 road accidents -- a 7.6 percent increase on 1993.

Of these, ten were fatal smashes, resulting in 11 deaths, the highest number of fatalities since the 13 recorded in 1990.

In 1993 seven people died on the roads.

Insp. Jones explained: "The main causes of accidents remain inattention, inexperience, following too closely behind another vehicle, overtaking improperly, entering main roads carelessly and failing to keep left.

"This is a clear indication that we can each prevent accidents if we pay close attention to our driving habits, and drive with more care and caution.'' People aged 31 to 40 were most likely to get involved in accidents, statistics show.

This category accounted for 25 percent of crash victims.

"The highest number resulting in fatalities were the 21 to 30 age group which accounted for four of the 10 fatal accidents,'' said Insp. Jones.

"It is disturbing to note that there were a total of seven persons between the age of 16 and 30 years who lost their lives as a result of a road traffic accident.'' Insp. Jones described the decline in impaired driving arrests as "significant''.

Last year 243 people were arrested, compared to 272 in 1993, she said.

"This represents an eleven percent decline. There were 228 males and 15 females arrested.

"One hundred and thirty nine failed the test, 61 refused and 43 passed.'' Insp. Jones said it was clear fines and disqualifications were having an effect.

"The message seems to be getting through. I am very pleased to see this decrease.'' But Insp. Jones added a cautionary note.

"Although the overall number of persons arrested for impaired driving was down last year when compared to 1993, the number of traffic accidents involving impaired drivers has increased.

"Last year there were 74 and in 1993 there were 70. One of these accidents resulted in the death of another person.'' Insp. Jones said most of last year's impaired driving arrests occurred between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

With the exception of 1993, 22 to 30-year-olds were arrested more than any other age group.

"Last year was no exception, there were 92 or nearly one-third of all those arrested were within this age group.

"The youngest person arrested for impaired driving last year was 16 and the oldest 72. Both failed the test.''