In the balance of Operation Rodovida, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) reported, this Monday (23), that of the 1,172 deaths on Brazilian federal roads recorded in the last 66 days, a total of 514 victims were in accidents involving cargo vehicles. The number represented 43.93% of the total.
Accidents involving this type of vehicle totaled 3,149 cases. They represent 23.81% of total road accidents. The data was presented at an event in the city of Aracaju (SE) at the end of the operation.
Operation Rodovida began on December 18 last year and lasted until last Sunday (22).
The corporation stated that, among these accidents with cargo vehicles, frontal collisions resulted in the most deaths, with 288 in total (the highest number).
Carnival deaths
During the carnival period, at least 130 people died on the roads. According to the corporation, it was the most violent carnival of the decade.
The numbers also showed an 8.54% increase in serious traffic accidents during the festive season. Most of the victims were in cars and motorcycles.
High speed
Throughout Operation Rodovida, at least 1.2 million vehicles of the most different types showed excessive speed. Other numbers that caused concern to the corporation were 58,700 irregular overtakings and 11,100 drunk drivers at the wheel.
According to the PRF, the purpose of the operation was to provide security during periods of increased traffic on the roads, which included school holidays and Christmas, New Year and Carnival operations.
Cell phone at the wheel
According to the corporation, 9,600 drivers were also caught using their cell phones while driving. Furthermore, 54.5 thousand people did not use seat belts or “car seats” for children up to four years of age.
Among motorcycle occupants, 10,300 people did not wear helmets. Among professional drivers (bus or truck, for example), 17,100 did not respect the Rest Law (which establishes at least 11 hours of breaks in a day).
