The campaign runs between today and Sunday and aims to promote road safety, with a focus on speeding.
In a statement, the GNR highlights that excessive speed continues to be one of the main causes of serious road accidents in Portugal, whether due to the reduction in the driver's reaction time to deal with an unforeseen event or the worsening of its consequences as a result of greater violence of the clash.
Excessive speed is also “the most common offense in all European countries, and is also recognized, throughout Europe, as the main cause of death on the roads”.
In 2023, the GNR recorded a total of 84,601 traffic accidents, of which at least 3,447 were likely caused by excessive speed.
Regarding speed control, in 2023, 101,169 infractions were recorded.
With the action that begins today, GNR also intends to raise awareness among drivers about the importance of adopting safer behaviors, “with a view to promoting road safety and safeguarding human lives”.
This operation takes place within the scope of the European Traffic Police Network (RoadPol), an organization that was established by European traffic police with the aim of improving road safety and compliance with road regulations.
This is also the largest speed control campaign in the world, taking into account the total number of police professionals involved and the drivers inspected.
In the same period last year, more than 650,000 speed violations were detected during operations in Europe.
About time too. People should set out on their journeys earlier, rather than run at the last minute and speed.
To those who tailgate, be warned that I won't be driving any faster just to allow you to speed. In fact quite the opposite. I respect the traffic rules in Portugal, not what the cars behind me want me to do.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 05 Aug 2024, 11:15
A complete and utter waste of time! I have lived in Portugal 15 years and nothing has changed despite all the clampdowns and until cars are taken away from the violators and destroyed, speeding, failing to stop at stop signs, driving through red traffic lights, overtaking on bends etc will continue, guaranteeing that Portuguese drivers will remain the worst in the EU!
By Greg from Other on 05 Aug 2024, 16:46
I totally agree with Billy Bissett. When anyone tailgates me I go slower. Tailgating is infuriating.
Speeding around the towns & villages on these small roads is also very stupid. There are speed limits for good reason.
By L from Lisbon on 06 Aug 2024, 15:29
I'm fed up with people saying the portuguese are terrible drivers. I feel a lot safer on the roads in Portugal than in Britain. Not to speak about the road rage you get in GB.
The criticism I have regarding the speed radar checks over here is that in the European countries I've lived in before, police have speedtraps in the danger accident zones, to make those areas safer. The police here tend to have speedtraps in areas where there is the least danger and where people therefore tend to drive faster, often breaking the limit. These are for the sole purpose of making money for the state, not to make the roads safer. And that is wrong. Jeff B
By Jeff from Algarve on 06 Aug 2024, 16:02