In the first 30 days of the state of emergency, road accidents dropped by more than 70% in Portugal.
According to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, between March 19 and April 17 there was a sharp drop in the number of accidents compared to the same period of the last four years.
Thus, it went from 10 918 registered accidents to just 3199.
Wounded and fatalities also falling
As well as the general accident rates, the number of minor injuries, serious injuries and fatalities recorded in this period also decreased compared to previous years.Subscribe to our newsletter
With regard to minor injuries, between 19 March and 17 April there was a decrease of 76% compared to the same period of 2019, recording 799 minor injuries instead of 3362.
In terms of serious injuries, there was a drop of 62%, from 134 recorded during this period in 2019 to just 51.
Finally, the number of fatalities decreased by 72%, with nine deaths on Portuguese roads having been recorded in the period under review, compared to 32 recorded in the same period in 2019.
The numbers at Easter
As would be expected, the Easter period (April 9-13) also followed the downward trend in road accidents.
Thus, in a period in which the Portuguese (except for some specific cases) were unable to move out of their municipality of residence, 1107 fewer accidents were registered (-73%) compared to the same period last year (the weekend from 18 to 22 Of april).
In addition to the reduction in the number of accidents, there were seven fewer fatalities (-78%), 32 fewer serious injuries (-86%) and 408 fewer minor injuries (-81%).
Razão Automóvel's team will continue online, 24 hours a day, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Follow the recommendations of the General Directorate of Health, avoid unnecessary travel. Together we will be able to overcome this difficult phase.