13 dead on Portuguese roads over Christmas

In the first five days of the holidays period, 20 to 24 December, there were 13 deaths and 653 injured, in a total of 1938 accidents on Portuguese roads.

What?

In the first five days from December 20 to 24, 13 people lost their lives, and 621 were injured in a total of 1,938 traffic accidents across Portugal, according to the latest reports from the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Public Security Police (PSP).

The GNR reported 1,144 accidents within its jurisdiction, resulting in 10 fatalities, 33 serious injuries, and 322 minor injuries. Meanwhile, the PSP recorded 794 accidents, resulting in three fatalities, 13 serious injuries, and 285 minor injuries.

Details of Fatal Accidents

The GNR noted that the victims, aged 19 to 76, were predominantly male (eight men and two women). Fatalities resulted from four single-vehicle crashes (three involving motorcycles and one involving a car), three collisions, and three pedestrian accidents.

• Single-vehicle accidents occurred in:

  • EN125 in Albufeira (Faro)

  • Fonte Coberta, Barcelos (Braga)

  • EN119 in Biscainho, Coruche (Santarém)

  • A23 in Benquerenças (Castelo Branco)

• Collisions happened on:

  • Estrada da Ponte Barão in Boliqueime (Faro)

  • IP2 in Beja

  • IC2 in Santa Maria da Feira (Aveiro)

• Pedestrian accidents were reported in:

  • Pedroso, Vila Nova de Gaia (Porto)

  • A19 in Leiria

  • Oliveira do Bairro (Aveiro)

The PSP reported three fatalities within its jurisdiction:

• A collision in Lisbon on December 21

• A single-vehicle crash in Loures on December 22

• Another single-vehicle crash in Leiria on December 24

Traffic Law Enforcement During the Holiday Operation

As part of the GNR’s “Christmas and New Year 2024/2025” operation, 50,197 drivers were inspected. Key findings included:

• 572 drivers caught driving under the influence, with 286 facing detention for blood alcohol levels of 1.2 g/L or higher.

• 89 drivers detained for driving without a valid license.

• 7,816 traffic violations recorded, including:

  • 2,364 for speeding

  • 286 for driving under the influence

  • 238 for improper use of seat belts or child restraint systems

  • 173 for using a mobile phone while driving

  • 813 for missing mandatory vehicle inspections

  • 252 for lacking valid civil liability insurance

The PSP, during its "Festive Safety 2024/2025" operation, inspected 6,678 vehicles and identified 1,972 infractions, including:

• 219 for speeding

• 168 for missing vehicle inspections

• 83 for lacking civil liability insurance

• 31 for using a mobile phone while driving

• 23 for improper use of seat belts or child restraints

Criminal Detentions and Seizures

The PSP made 330 arrests nationwide, with notable charges including:

• 160 road-related crimes:

  • 118 for driving under the influence

  • 42 for unlicensed driving

• 12 arrests for illegal weapon possession

• 26 arrests for drug trafficking, with over 62,247 individual doses seized

Additionally, 23 arrests were made for property crimes (theft and robbery), and authorities seized 14 firearms and 21 bladed weapons during operations and detentions for illegal possession.

Both forces remain vigilant as their holiday operations continue, aiming to reduce incidents and ensure road safety during the festive season.