ALGIERS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian authorities said 20 people were killed Saturday in three traffic accidents in the country.

In the first accident, a bus from the capital Algiers to the southeastern province of Biskra crashed after midnight in the town of Bou Saada, 245 km south of Algiers, leaving 10 passengers dead and 12 others injured.

Later in the day, another accident was reported in the desert province of Ghardaia, where a family of seven members were killed when their car collided with a trailer.

In the eastern province of Mascara, three people were killed when two cars collided, according to local fire fighting department.

Initial investigations show overspeed and fatigue driving are the main causes of the three accidents.

In Algeria, 4,000 to 4,500 people die of traffic accidents annually.

Experts say a driving licence demerit point system is expected to go into force to curb the soaring number of traffic accidents in this North African nation.