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In an effort to contain the alarming number of traffic accidents and reinforce safety on the roads, the government approved a new proposal that could suspend for 3 years the driver’s license of drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol. The measure, which is being discussed as a bill in the Chamber of Deputies, is already causing heated debates, with experts and authorities discussing its direct impact on society and the behavior of Brazilian drivers.
The proposal suggests that the 3-year suspension of the driver’s license be applied exclusively to drivers caught in the act with positive breathalyzer results. The project, designed to extend the suspension period, increases the maximum penalty from 12 months to 3 years, aiming to discourage the dangerous practice of drinking and driving.
The author of the project, supported by public health data, points to alcohol as one of the main causes of serious and fatal accidents on the country’s roads. According to Carolina Ramos, a specialist from the Revista dos Benefícios website, “this measure is crucial to promote a change in driver behavior and ensure safety on the roads.” With 1.2 Brazilians losing their lives per hour due to alcohol behind the wheel, the urgency for this legislation to suspend driver’s licenses gains strength. Another concerning statistic: the number of hospital admissions due to accidents related to alcohol consumption has risen 34% in Brazil.
Alarming Data: A Worrying Reality in Brazilian Traffic Promising to Take Driver’s Licenses Away
The statistics driving this proposal reveal a harsh reality: 5.4% of Brazilians with driver’s licenses admit to having driven after consuming alcoholic beverages, a rate that has persisted for years. In Paraná alone, in 2023, 3,117 infractions of this type were recorded, along with 1,532 refusals to take the breathalyzer test, totaling nearly 5,000 infractions related to alcohol consumption.
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The proposal, however, does not cover drivers who refuse to take the breathalyzer test, which may limit the effectiveness of the legislation. Critics argue that, without a clear penalty for refusing the test, there is a “loophole” that may weaken the initial intent of the project: to definitively curb the association between drinking and driving.
Cost and Time for Renewal of the Driver’s License
For those who already consider the risk and think about not losing their document, it is worth remembering the costs and time for renewing the driver’s license, which vary according to state. The amounts range from R$60 to R$240, depending on the driver’s residence location. In Ceará, for example, renewing the license costs R$180, while in Rio Grande do Sul, it is R$116.81. In addition to state fees, drivers also have expenses with mandatory medical exams and the issuance of the new document.
The timelines for renewing the driver’s license are also defined by age group:
Up to 49 years: renewal every 10 years;
From 50 to 70 years: renewal every 5 years;
Over 70 years: renewal every 3 years.
Next Steps and Expectations
The debate now continues in the Chamber, where legislators are evaluating the possibilities and repercussions of this new measure. If approved, the project to suspend drivers’ licenses for 3 years for those caught by the breathalyzer will bring a significant change for drivers, aiming to drastically reduce the rates of accidents and deaths on the road caused by alcohol consumption.
A maconha a caçamba e outras drogas que ninguém fala nada
Enquanto tivermos motoqueiros dirigindo de forma totalmente ofensiva e imprudente, cidades e estradas continuarão a ter os números alarmantes de acidentes que têm! A ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas é um dos fatores! Moro em São Paulo (capital, dirijo de 10 a 12 horas TODO DIA e as barbáries desses cidadãos é algo indescritível!
Entendi, complicado mas é de segurança de todos