Imagine a short walk, a simple stroll, suddenly turning fatal. The speed of a car makes all the difference. If a vehicle hits someone going 30 kilometers per hour, the chance of that person dying is about 10%. But speed up to just 50 kilometers per hour, and the odds of a deadly outcome soar to 80%. That’s a huge jump, showing how critical even small speed increases can be for human life.
This sobering fact is why the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), the Republican National Guard (GNR), and the Public Security Police (PSP) are launching a new road safety effort. It’s called “Traveling Without Haste,” and it’s part of the National Inspection Plan for 2024. The campaign kicks off tomorrow, reaching every corner of the country, including the islands.
Speeding: A Major Problem on Our Roads
This specific safety drive runs from October 14 to 20. Its main goal is to remind drivers about the serious dangers of going too fast. Speeding isn’t just a minor offense; it’s one of the top reasons for crashes on our roads. In fact, more than 60% of all traffic tickets given out are for driving over the speed limit.
The agencies involved want everyone to remember some key points. First, speed directly causes one out of every three fatal accidents. Second, the faster you drive, the less time you have to stop your car if something unexpected happens. A split second can mean avoiding a collision. And finally, speeding doesn’t even save much time. On a 20-kilometer trip, boosting your speed from 50 to 60 kilometers per hour only shaves off about four minutes. Is four minutes worth risking a life?
Road accidents aren’t simply unavoidable bad luck. Their most serious results can be stopped by choosing to drive safely. These campaigns really do make a difference. For instance, the “Traveling Without Haste” campaign in June 2024 checked about 4.9 million vehicles for speed. Out of all those cars, around 17,800 drivers were found to be speeding. It shows that constant vigilance and driver awareness are crucial for safer roads.
