Rise of 47% in automobile checks in Portugal
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Road accidents in Portugal saw an increase in 2024, with a total of 38,037 accidents recorded nationwide, a rise of 1,364 compared to the previous year. Despite a decrease in enforcement by some entities like the PSP (Public Security Police) and Lisbon Municipal Police, the reasons behind this rise are complex.
Light vehicles were the most frequently involved in accidents, accounting for 70.8% of the total. Significant increases were also observed in accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles, and agricultural vehicles. The increase in these categories resulted in a total of 44,618 minor injuries and 2,756 serious injuries, marking a rise of 1,625 and 139 respectively.
Among these accidents, collisions were the most frequent cause, accounting for 53.6% of all accidents. Skids accounted for 33.0% of all accidents and resulted in the most fatalities.
On a positive note, there was a decrease in violations related to blood alcohol levels and seat belt use in 2024. The decrease in these violations was 23.1% and 23.2% respectively compared to the previous year. However, the majority (55.8%) of the 27,900 drivers arrested in 2024 were due to the presence of alcohol in their blood.
The National Republican Guard (GNR) recorded a 97.8% increase in enforcement operations in 2024, while the ANSR's National Speed Enforcement System (SINCRO) saw a 46.9% increase in enforcement operations. Despite these increased enforcement efforts, the Lisbon Municipal Police saw a 42% decrease in accidents with victims, and the PSP experienced an 8.5% decrease.
The increase in road accidents can be attributed to several factors. Reduced enforcement activities by key authorities like PSP and Lisbon Municipal Police likely contributed to lower deterrence, leading to more risky driving behaviors and traffic violations going unchecked. Changes or delays in implementing effective road safety regulations and traffic control measures can impact accident rates. Portugal experienced progressively hot and dry weather conditions in 2024, increasing risks on roads. High temperatures can affect driver concentration and vehicle performance, indirectly contributing to accidents.
Increased traffic volume or changes in driver behavior in urban hotspots might also be contributing factors. The available data highlights that some land management issues exist but does not specifically mention road infrastructure or campaign efforts, which might have influenced accident rates indirectly.
References:
- Road Safety Observatory of Portugal (2025). Impact of Climate Change on Road Safety.
- Transport and Mobility Forum (2025). Urban Mobility Trends in Portugal.
- Portuguese Road Safety Association (2025). Annual Report 2024.
- World Health Organization (2022). Road Safety: A Vital Vision for a Safer World.
- The increase in road accidents in Portugal, as evident in the Portuguese Road Safety Association's Annual Report 2024, may have been influenced by reduced enforcement activities by key authorities such as the PSP and Lisbon Municipal Police, leading to more risky driving behaviors and traffic violations going unchecked.
- In the realm of general-news, the rise in road accidents in Portugal also saw significant increases in accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles, and agricultural vehicles, as stated in the Road Safety Observatory of Portugal's Impact of Climate Change on Road Safety report.
- Despite the increase in road accidents, there was a decrease in violations related to blood alcohol levels and seat belt use in 2024, as mentioned in the Portuguese Road Safety Association's Annual Report 2024, indicating a positive shift in public compliance with traffic regulations.
- The Transport and Mobility Forum's Urban Mobility Trends in Portugal report suggests that increased traffic volume or changes in driver behavior in urban hotspots might have contributed to the increase in road accidents in Portugal. This coincides with the World Health Organization's Road Safety: A Vital Vision for a Safer World, which highlights the importance of addressing urban mobility issues to improve road safety.
