Seventy-two people died in the first 11 months of the year in road accidents, two more compared to the same period in 2024, 32 in collisions, 25 in crashes and 15 in run-overs, according to a PSP report.
Provisional accident data from the Public Security Police (PSP), referring to its area of responsibility, released in a statement, reveal an increase in road accidents, deaths and injuries this year.
Between January 1st and November 30th of this year, the PSP recorded 52,370 accidents, 41 more compared to last year, resulting in 72 deaths, two more, 713 serious injuries, 69 more, and 16,436 minor injuries, 400 more compared to the same period in 2024.
Among fatalities in road accidents, young people aged 18 to 30 were the most affected, representing 28%, followed by adults aged between 51 and 65 (21%) and 41 and 50 (19%).
The 31-40 age group represented 17% of fatalities, while those aged 66-80 accounted for 7% and those over 81 years old 8%.
With regard to road inspection, the PSP states that, during this period, 657,757 drivers were inspected across the country (+19,960) and 2,149,675 vehicles were monitored by radar (+117,857).
In total, 217,483 administrative offenses were registered (30,093 more than in the same period of 2024), which is equivalent to an average of more than 19,000 infractions per month.
Of the registered infractions, the PSP highlights 38,209 for speeding, which corresponds to 18% of the total registered infractions.
According to the PSP, 186,509 alcohol tests were carried out, resulting in 3,930 administrative offenses for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Of these infractions, 851 concern drivers to whom the reduced alcohol tax applies (drivers with a driving license for less than 3 years or professional drivers), which corresponds to 22% of registered infractions for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The PSP also highlights 22,616 infractions for lack of mandatory periodic inspection, 8,196 for lack of civil liability insurance, 5,761 for using a cell phone while driving, 2,671 for not using a seat belt and 1,125 for not using restraint systems.
In the same period, 8,508 arrests were made for road crimes, namely 4,861 for drunk driving and 3,647 for driving without a legal license.
“Currently, the human factor of behavior is recognized as the most relevant condition for the occurrence of most road accidents, whether due to infraction and/or disregard for traffic rules and signs, or in the face of an unexpected event”alerts the security force.
It also emphasizes that, “As urban scenarios are highly dynamic, with multiple road users in constant movement, driver behavior is a fundamental factor in continuing this trend of decreasing road accidents”.
PSP calls on all drivers to drive safely, adapting their driving to weather conditions and the condition of the road.
“We warn you not to adopt behaviors that could reduce your driving abilities, such as driving at excessive speed or under the influence of alcohol and/or psychotropic substances, or that are likely to cause distractions, such as using a cell phone while driving”reads the statement.
It reminds drivers not to drive at excessive speed, especially when approaching pedestrian crossings or areas with a large flow of pedestrians, a factor that it says makes it impossible to “safely immobilize vehicles, which could lead to a collision”.
It also calls for the use of seat belts, restraint systems, helmets which, “although they do not prevent accidents, they reduce the impact and risk of injuries and/or consequences in the event of a collision”.