Crashes kill 56 people on federal highways over long weekend

The number of accidents, injuries and deaths recorded during the five-day extended holiday due to All Souls’ Day was lower than that recorded during the five-day holiday – also extended by Nossa Senhora da Aparecida, in October. The comparison appears in the balance sheet released, in Brasilia, this Monday (6) by the Federal Highway Police (PRF).

According to the research, 56 people died on federal highways between November 1 and 5, a period that also includes deaths. The number is 29.1% lower than the 79 victims recorded during the Nossa Senhora da Aparecida festivities, between October 11 and 15 this year.

The total number of accidents during the last holiday was 7% lower. There were 861 accidents, compared to 926 recorded during the October holiday. Injuries considered serious decreased from 263 to 236, which corresponds to a decrease of 10.33%. And the number of injured went from 1,065 to 931 (-12.6%).

Infringements and accidents

The PRF also reported that it had mobilized more than 11 thousand agents, distributed in the points considered to be the most critical – with the highest incidence of infringements and accidents – of the 70 thousand kilometers of federal highways in the country.

During the five days of the last long holiday, Operation Dead Dead caught 5,457 motorists overtaking in prohibited places; and 896 motorcyclists were fined for not wearing helmets.

Also captured in the operation were 3,453 vehicles with drivers or passengers not using seat belts and 435 cases in which children were transported without using child seats.

Officers inspected 55,101 cars and 63,387 people, including passengers and drivers. 31,401 alcohol tests were carried out. Of these, 879 people were driving under the influence of alcohol and were fined.

Crime

Operation Finados also worked to fight crime. In this way, 76 vehicles with some limitations of theft or robbery were recovered; and removed 17 weapons and 481 ammunition from circulation.

Furthermore, 10 tons of marijuana and 902 kilos of cocaine were seized. In total, 503 people were detained.