English 
Spanish 
4 min read
12 comments
New laws in the Brazilian Traffic Code aim to make traffic crimes such as intentional homicide non-bailable, increasing penalties for drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The changes impact the behavior of drivers and major automakers, such as Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet and Volkswagen.
In a country known for chaotic traffic and frequent fatal accidents, new legislative proposals promise to transform the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) and place drivers under strict surveillance.
The changes can drastically impact the way we drive, and those who risk getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs can face devastating consequences.
The pressure to approve these new measures is growing, and those who are not prepared for them changes, will have to face penalties never seen before in Brazil.
- The size of a Kwid and the bed of a Toyota? Engineers create electric pickup truck of the future — range of up to 550 km
- Looking for a good, attractive and economical car? With a consumption of up to 16,6 km/L, a 1.2 engine, 90 hp and a 300-liter trunk, this Citroën car is super economical, spacious and its maintenance is not expensive to maintain!
- Caught: GAC GS3 Emzoom arrives in Brazil with 152 horsepower, 6 airbags and R$5,8 billion in investments to compete with VW T-Cross and Hyundai Creta
- China in full force! GAC Aion Y Plus arrives in Brazil: electric SUV with 204 hp and 500 km of autonomy; Aion ES sedan also surprises with 4,81 meters
See more
The Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are in the process of analyzing proposals that aim to tighten traffic legislation, focusing on cases of intentional homicide and driving under the influence of substances.
O bill (PL) 1229/24, authored by Senator Fabiano Contarato (PT-ES), leads these initiatives, promising unforgivable fines and the imposition of mandatory tests for drivers involved in accidents.
The changes to the CTB, if approved, will severely affect the lives of drivers, especially those who consume alcohol or drugs before driving.
Proposals that could change the CTB
The proposed changes to the Brazilian Traffic Code include mandatory tests to detect the presence of alcohol or psychoactive substances in drivers involved in serious accidents.
If alcohol or drug use is proven and the accident results in death, the driver may be charged with non-bailable homicide, without the right to bail, pardon or amnesty.
This tightening of the law seeks to eliminate loopholes in the current CTB, where the alcohol or toxicology test is optional.
According to Contarato's project, the new legislation aims to close gaps that allow impunity, especially in cases where drivers manage to avoid the test.
If the law is passed, the obligation to carry out exams will be non-negotiable, and drivers caught under the influence of substances will face arrest, even if they provide assistance to victims.
The impact of new traffic penalties
The changes to the CTB also aim to increase the punishment for those who fail to provide assistance after an accident.
The sentence may be extended to detention of six months to one year, in addition to fines.
This tightening, according to deputy Delegado Palumbo (MDB-SP), author of PL 1002/2024, seeks to include intentional homicide while driving a motor vehicle in the list of traffic crimes, with penalties that can reach 20 years in prison.
The focus is to ensure that irresponsible drivers face the legal consequences of their actions.
According to Palumbo, “Getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is the same as carrying a loaded gun; the consequences can be fatal.”
The new legislation reflects an effort to reduce traffic accidents in Brazil, many of which involve the use of illicit substances.
Justifications for the changes
Proponents of these proposals argue that current penalties are insufficient to contain the alarming increase in serious accidents on Brazilian roads.
According to Contarato, current legislation has failed in its preventive function.
“We can no longer tolerate impunity in traffic,” the senator said in an official statement. The growing number of fatal accidents involving drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs motivated the creation of these new laws.
Automakers such as Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet and Volkswagen have been closely monitoring these changes, since the impact on driver behavior can directly influence the automotive market.
If the new proposals are approved, Brazilian drivers will face a much harsher environment on the roads.
Questions raised by the new laws
While the new measures could improve road safety, experts question whether the proposed changes will actually be effective.
The application of the new rules and the increase in penalties could have a considerable impact on driver behavior, but The question arises as to how the authorities will ensure that these measures are effectively implemented.
Additionally, we bring There is a growing debate about the effectiveness of harsher penalties in reducing accidents. Could stricter laws be a definitive solution to reducing the tragic traffic accidents in Brazil? Will drivers be willing to change their habits in light of the new legislation?
The answer, according to industry analysts, lies in the balance between traffic education and appropriate penalties.
The automakers Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet and Volkswagen can benefit from safer traffic, but the practical effect of these laws is still under discussion.
Are stricter laws really the solution to reducing traffic accidents in Brazil? Leave your opinion in the comments!
It won't do any good. Those who have money get away with crimes in this country.
I'm all for it, life imprisonment for these drunk ****!
If we had blitzes every day and at different times, there certainly wouldn't be so many deaths in traffic and drivers driving without a license and drunk, what we need is blitzes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, blitzes, I drive in traffic for at least 15 hours a day, I don't see a single blitz, at night, not to mention, it seems like our police go to bed with the chickens, you don't see blitzes at night.
And it would also help with express kidnapping crimes, for example.
True, I work almost all night and don't see any speed traps.
In favor, but let this Law be for everyone, rich and poor.
The harsh reality is that Brazilian traffic laws only affect a specific class, which are professional drivers. There are no toxicology tests for drivers in other categories, and we Brazilians know that the system is corruptible and in fact the only one who is held hostage by these laws is the professional driver. That is my point of view. If a senator, deputy or any other political position is involved in an accident, it is not said that they complied with the procedures of the law.