Inattentive motorists caused a 19 percent increase in road accidents last month, compared to the same period last year. And one of the accidents last month resulted in a fatality.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said 270 road accidents were reported to Police in October.

A total of 226 were recorded in October, 1994.

Accidents involving injuries were also up by 45 percent, with 133 such accidents recorded this year compared to 92 in October, last year.

Of the accidents recorded last month, 42 percent involved private cars, 27 percent involved motor cycles, and 14 percent involved livery cycles.

Meanwhile Police yesterday said they were investigating an accident which left a 19-year-old with a broken leg and his 18-year-old pillion passenger with neck and leg injuries. The accident occurred around 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday at Union Street in Pembroke.

The 19-year-old was negotiating a bend when his cycle collided head on with a van.

P.c. Venning said both vehicles were extensively damaged. But the driver of the van was not injured.

Any witnesses to the accident can contact P.c. Paul Henry at Hamilton Police Station on 295-0011.

Police also attended an accident on Middle Road in Paget around 9.45 p.m. on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old female rider of a Suzuki motorcycle was travelling west on Middle Road and apparently lost control on the left-hand bend near St. Paul's Church.

P.c. Venning said the rider was involved in a collision with a car travelling in the opposite direction.

But the rider was not believed to be injured.