Number of drivers fined for alcohol levels on federal highways during Holy Week grows 116%, says PRF | Federal District

From Thursday (28) to Sunday (31), the Federal Highway Police (PRF) fined 1,599 drivers due to alcohol levels on federal highways. The number is 116.08% bigger than the 2023 Holy Week operation, when they were charged 740 drivers for drunk driving.

In 2024, 54 people died and 849 were injured in accidents on federal highways during the four days of the holiday. In 2023, they were 61 deaths and 1,026 injured people registered by the PRF. The number of serious accidents in 2024 is 8.72% lower than in the same period of 2023.

One of the focuses of the operation was the use of cell phones while driving, which is a practice considered a very serious infraction. Compared to data from Holy Week 2023, with 236 fines, the holiday in 2024 showed a growth of 84.32%, with 435 infractions of drivers caught using electronic devices while driving.

During Operation Semana Santa, the PRF also intensifies inspection of other irregular conduct that may pose risks to those traveling on the highways. Among them are:

• Speeding
• Undue overtaking
• Lack of mandatory safety items, such as seat belts and child seats

Check out the complete balance sheet below:

Holy Week Operation Balance 2024

In total, the PRF inspected 59 thousand vehicles and more 44 thousand traffic violations. Due to irregularities, 59 vehicles were recalled and 337 People were detained by the police and taken to the judicial police.

On federal highways in the Federal District and surrounding areas, 20 accidents and 24 people were injured, but there were no deaths recorded. This was the second consecutive year without fatalities in accidents during the Easter holiday, according to the PRF.

In all, 113 vehicles were detained and 12 People were arrested by police for crimes committed on federal highways.

Of the fines imposed, 22 were due to alcoholemia, 35 due to lack of seat belt, 12 by children transported without the appropriate seat or car seat. In addition to these, 13 drivers were caught using cell phones while driving and 281 drivers performed prohibited overtaking.

• Inspect the vehicle
• Check the weather conditions on the route
• Use and ask that all occupants of the vehicle wear a seat belt
• Respect traffic rules and signage on highways
• Don’t drink before driving
• Don’t use your cell phone while driving

Read more news about the region on g1 DF.