Lisbon, 06 Sep 2020 (Lusa) – The GNR operation “Travelling safely”, which underwent increased patrolling and inspection on Portuguese roads to ensure safety during summer travel, ends today.

During the operation, which started on June 26, GNR prioritised “preventive action” on the main roads, such as highways, main routes, complementary routes and national roads, through an “effort for the most critical roads”, with the objective of “combating road accidents, guaranteeing the free flow of traffic and supporting all road users, providing them with safe travel”.

In recent months, GNR’s action has focused on risky behaviours that jeopardize road safety.

The GNR military was alert to dangerous overtaking maneouvers, driving under the influence of alcohol and psychotropic substances, driving without a legal license, speeding, wearing a seat belt and a mobile phone while driving.

The latest report by the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) states that July was the month that this year recorded the highest number of deaths and serious injuries in road accidents, with fatalities increasing almost 50% compared to the same month of 2019 ,

According to the ANSR, in July 49 people died on Portuguese roads, 48.5% more than in the same month of 2019, when 33 died, and 212 people suffered serious injuries, the same number as last year.

In total and in the first seven months of 2020 there were 14,217 accidents with victims on the Portugal mainland, resulting in 216 deaths occurred at the accident site or during transport to the health unit, 991 seriously injured and 16,493 minor injuries.

The ANSR indicates that, compared to the same period in 2019, there were 5,705 fewer accidents with victims (-28.6%), 43 less fatalities (-16.6%), 269 less serious injuries (-21.3% ) and less 7,590 minor injuries (-31.5%).

“Between January and July 2020, there was a reduction in all accident indicators, compared to the same period of 2019, with the month of April having the most significant decreases, partly due to the state of emergency that was in force between March 19 and May 2, imposing strong containment measures with the consequent reduction in traffic”, emphasizes the report.

Portugal was in a state of emergency due to the covid-19 pandemic in March and April.