In a startling revelation, Saudi health ministry said 17 people get killed daily in accidents on the kingdom's roads which is witness to an accident every second, according to a report.

According to the figures released by the ministry, 598,300 accidents took place in 2012, an average of 1,614 a day and of 67 an hour. The capital Riyadh reported the highest number of accidents.

In 2009, Saudi Arabia recorded 484,800 accidents, an average of 1,328 a day and 55 every hour. The figures went up in 2010 to reach 498,200 accidents with an average of 1,365 a day and 57 an hour, reported the Gulf News.

The figures, published by local news site Sabq on Sunday, mark an increase of eight per cent over 2011 and 22 per cent over 2009.

In 2011, there was a nine per cent increase with 544,200 accidents and averages of 1,491 a day and 62 an hour, it stated.

Around 25 per cent of the accident-related deaths happened in the region of Makkah, said the report. The holy city also topped the injuries list with 27 per cent of the country’s tally.