The Federal District (DF) recorded a decrease in car accidents and deaths in 2014.

Brasilia 247 – The number of accidents on federal highways in the Federal District fell by 18,4%, from 3.414 in 2013 to 2.784 crashes in 2014. The number of deaths also decreased, from 216 in the previous year to 193 last year.

According to data from the Federal Highway Police, released this Monday (9), the BR-020 highway is the road with the most records of accidents, injuries and deaths, followed by the BR-040. The BR-020 alone had 946 accidents and 71 deaths last year. In 2013, the numbers were 1.020 accidents and 73 deaths.

Most accidents are caused by human error (95,3%). Vehicle and road defects are the other reasons cited in the PRF report, accounting for only 3,48% and 1,22% of the total, respectively.

Among the accidents caused by human error in the Federal District in 2014, the majority resulted from prohibited alcohol consumption, inattention, failure to maintain a safe distance from the car in front, and speeding. Animals on the road also caused collisions: 22 in total.

According to PRF representative Pâmela Vieira, the lack of attention from drivers is related to the use of cell phones while driving. "Not only calls, but also social media and text messages. Especially when there is traffic, citizens in the region are used to typing while driving," she said.

The report also indicated that 77.358 drivers were checked for alcohol in the Federal District in 2014, a 25% increase compared to 2013 (61.440 people). In total, last year, 379 individuals were fined, compared to 407 the previous year, a reduction of 6,9%, and 139 were arrested, compared to 259 in 2013 (-46%).

Nationally, there was also a decrease in the number of deaths and accidents on Brazilian highways in 2014, compared to 2013. There were 8.227 deaths last year compared to 8.425 the previous year, representing a decline of 2,3%. The number of accidents fell from 186.698 in 2013 to 168.593 in 2014, a decrease of 9,6%.