Motorcycle taxi drivers face a lack of regulation in BH; category is one of the most vulnerable in traffic | Minas Gerais

If this data is extended to motorcycle accidents in general, the number is much higher. According to the State Secretariat of Justice and Public Security (Sejusp), in 2022 were 8,574 and, 2023, 10,195.

Only in January and February this year, there was 1,466. In the same period of 2022 there were 1,046 and, in 2023, 1,361.

Still according to Sejusp, 44,895 motorcycle accidents were recorded in Minas Gerais in 2022. The following year, 48,712.

In January and February 2022, they were 5,986. In the same period last year, 6,683and, in 2024, 6,611.

The CEO of Brazilian Federation of Professional Motorcyclists (Febramoto)Gilberto Almeida Santos, considered the number of deaths among motorcyclists working in transport in BH to be very high.

For him, companies that hire labor from motorcycle taxi drivers It is motorbike drivers they are being negligent.

“Our segment is corrupted by the ambition of companies in general. They have no concerns whatsoever. Passenger transport is a real carnage”, he said.

Still according to Santos, companies do not respect the country’s laws and, to preserve lives, a discussion with workers needs to be held to regulate the sector, ASAP.

“You can’t play with lives,” he said.

In less than ten days, three people die in motorcycle accidents via app in BH

Belo Horizonte City Hall (PBH) informed “that there are no specific regulations for the motorcycle taxi service in the capital” and the operation of app-based transport in the country is supported by two federal laws.

Also according to PBH, the “Mobility Superintendence of the Municipality is developing studies on the impact of the motorcycle taxi service in Belo Horizonte, that require detailed data analysis, especially in relation to traffic safety”.

The City Council and the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais (ALMG) said that no there are none specific bill in progress to regulate the motorcycle service by app.

However, in the case of ALMG, the body said that PL 1,457/2020 of state deputy Betão (PT) “provides for the obligation to offer benefits and guarantees to workers, collaborators and partners of delivery and mobility service companies through of digital applications”, and that the current situation of the PL is “awaiting committee opinion”.

Companies are supported by a 2018 federal law, which provides for regulation by municipalities and allows individual private paid transportation of passengers by drivers registered on apps.

They are also based on an understanding of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), which says: “the prohibition or restriction of individual private transport activity by a driver registered on an application is unconstitutional, violating the principles of free enterprise and free competition”.

A Law 13,640, 2018, and the decision of the Supreme Court do not specifically concern transport by motorbikebut of motor vehicles, in general.

In a note, the Ministry of Transport reported “that the paid transport of passengers (motorcycle taxi) was regulated by law 12,009, It is up to municipalities to regulate the provision of services”.

Also according to the statement, “on the rules of motorcycle taxis and motorcycle freight, the National Traffic Council (Contran) issued Resolution No. 943, of March 28, 2022, which establishes minimum security requirements for the paid transport of passengers (motorcycle taxi) and cargo (motorcycle) on motorcycles and scooters, and provides other measures”.