The number of accidents caused by using cell phones while driving has increased in the country, causing 154 deaths per day. Find out more!
Unfortunately, the use of cell phones while driving has become increasingly common. Although it may seem completely harmless, this practice can be a deadly combination for both drivers and pedestrians. In Brazil, according to data from the Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine, using a smartphone while driving is already the third leading cause of traffic deaths, resulting in 154 deaths per day, or 54,000 per year.
According to studies by the Association, typing a text message while driving a vehicle at 80 km/h is equivalent to driving blindfolded for a distance of up to 100 meters. This is a concern that has had repercussions in Brazilian traffic legislation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently considers cell phones to be one of the main risk factors for road safety, surpassing issues such as drowsiness and fatigue while driving. Brazil has more than 240 million cell phones spread throughout the country and their use has influenced the growing number of traffic accidents, including fatalities.
Learn more about this alarming data now!
Accidents in the country
THE cell phone use Driving is already the third biggest cause of traffic deaths in Brazil. This number reaches 154 deaths per day in the country, 54 thousand per year. Alcohol consumption and speeding continue to be the main causes of fatal accidents on the roads, but the number of deaths caused by smartphones has been growing and is worrying road safety experts.
According to the association's data, send text messages while driving a vehicle at 80 km/h, it is equivalent to driving blindfolded for a distance of up to 100 meters. Experts indicate that precautions should be taken by drivers and also by pedestrians, who can also be victims of these accidents.
Currently, cell phone use while driving is more common among young people under the age of 30. Women are more likely to be involved in accidents when driving while distracted while using their cell phone.
Another worrying fact is that in cases of connections, even after the call ends, the brain's activity continues to focus on it, and the risk of causing an accident remains even after the call ends.
Another worrying fact is that the use of cell phones in traffic has also gained new followers, such as motorcyclists, who are starting to use their cell phones while riding their motorcycle.
Cell phone while driving
Between the 18th and 24th of this month alone, the Military Police of the Federal District caught 1,417 drivers using their cell phones while driving a vehicle. The data was released in the corporation's traffic productivity bulletin.
According to the Brazilian traffic code, driving a vehicle while holding or handling a cell phone is a very serious offense, with a fine of R$$293.47 and the addition of seven points to the National Driver's License.
In the same week, the PMDF also stopped 125 people driving without a driver's license and recovered 60 rounds of ammunition. In addition, between last Friday (22) and Monday (25), the Detran of the Federal District and the PM fined 267 drunk drivers, which is considered a very serious offense, with a fine of R$$2,934.70 and suspension of the right to drive for one year.
Drivers were also fined for not wearing a seatbelt, for driving a vehicle with an irregular exhaust system and for racing or performing dangerous maneuvers. People were also fined for driving vehicles without a license.
