Drivers Could Be Fined If They Don’t Slow Down to 60 Km/H in Areas With Roadworks or Accidents: New Bill Amends the Traffic Code and Enhances Safety on Highways

Written by Débora Araújo

Published on 07/11/2025 at 12:31

Foto: Motoristas poderão ser multados se não reduzirem para 60 km/h em trechos com obras ou acidentes: novo projeto altera o Código de Trânsito e reforça segurança nas rodovias

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Bill in Progress in the Chamber Requires Drivers to Reduce to 60 km/h and Change Lanes in Areas with Works or Accidents, Altering the Traffic Code to Reinforce Safety on Highways.

A new bill presented in the House of Representatives proposes direct changes to the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) to increase the safety of agents, workers, and drivers in risk situations on highways. The PL 4511/2024, authored by Congressman Gilberto Abramo (Republicanos-MG), establishes that every driver must reduce speed to a maximum of 60 km/h — or to the speed limit if it is lower — when approaching areas where there are works, accidents, inspections, or any assistance on the road.

According to the text, the driver must also change lanes whenever possible and maintain a safe distance from vehicles or teams in operation. The proposal adds new duties to Article 29 of the CTB, aiming to transform into a legal obligation what was previously only a recommendation of prudence. Noncompliance with these rules will be classified as serious or medium infractions, depending on the type of conduct.

Details of the Project and Penalties Foreseen

The PL amends Article 220 of the CTB and creates specific penalties for those who ignore the new safety rules. Failing to reduce speed in front of a marked area will be considered serious infraction, while not changing lanes or failing to maintain a minimum distance will constitute medium infraction. Both behaviors will result in fines and points on the driver’s license.

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Context and Justification

The congressman argues that excessive speed and lack of attention in areas of works or accidents are among the main causes of pedestrian injuries and secondary collisions on the roads. Data from the Federal Highway Police indicate that, just in 2023, more than 2,300 accidents occurred on Brazilian federal highways during road interventions, resulting in hundreds of victims and injured workers.

According to the official justification of the project, the driver’s behavior in these areas is crucial for preserving lives: “The immediate reduction of speed and lane change are simple actions but capable of preventing deaths and protecting those working in emergency assistance,” the text highlights.

The proposal also provides that the new rule will come into effect 180 days after its publication, accompanied by educational campaigns promoted by the agencies of the National Traffic System. This period is intended to inform drivers and allow authorities to adjust road signage.

Impact on Highways and Enforcement

If approved, the measure will require increased enforcement on federal and state highways, especially in maintenance areas, emergency assistance, and construction sites. Enforcement may occur through agents or electronic equipment, integrating cameras already installed on various roads.

The National Agency for Land Transport (ANTT) and the National Department of Infrastructure and Transportation (DNIT) must review signaling protocols and construction notices, ensuring clear communication to drivers. The new rules may also impact highway concessionaires, which will have to enhance visual barriers, cones, and alert panels.

The Federal Highway Police, responsible for overseeing about 75,000 kilometers of federal highways, reports that a large portion of secondary accidents occurs when a driver ignores assistance on the road and speeds past, endangering both rescuers and vehicle occupants.

According to road safety experts, the requirement to reduce speed and change lanes may help reduce the number of collisions and injuries of agents during rescue and signaling services. Brazil still lacks a unified protocol for these situations, and PL 4511/2024 aims to fill this legal gap.

Proceedings and Next Steps

The bill is being processed in a conclusive manner in the Transportation and Communications Committee (CVT) of the House of Representatives and will subsequently be forwarded to the Committee on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship (CCJ) before going to the plenary. If approved, it will still need to pass the Federal Senate before being signed into law.

The text does not change the speed limits of the roads nor does it create new infractions outside the context of works and assistance. The proposal is limited to situations of temporary and emergency risk where teams are exposed.

The Chamber is also considering including the measure in the set of actions of the National Plan for Reducing Deaths and Injuries in Traffic (Pnatrans), which aims to halve the number of victims by 2030. Gilberto Abramo’s project may be incorporated as a tool to execute this goal, strengthening the pillar of “safety in the roadwork environment.”

References and Relationship with International Policies

Several countries have already adopted similar policies. In the United States, all 50 states have laws requiring drivers to reduce speed or change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles, patrols, ambulances, and work teams.

In Canada and the European Union, the practice is also included in traffic regulations. The adoption of these measures has significantly reduced the number of pedestrian injuries among public agents and workers on highways.

In Brazil, the measure has the potential to align the Traffic Code with modern road safety practices. Currently, Article 220 of the CTB already provides for infractions for “failing to reduce speed when approaching intersections, curves, and areas of low visibility,” but does not explicitly include the requirement in situations of assistance or works. PL 4511/2024 seeks to fill this legal gap.

The project reinforces a recent trend of updating the Traffic Code, which has been receiving adjustments aimed at protecting professionals working on the roads and improving signaling. If approved, the text will make obligatory a conduct already recommended by authorities, and drivers who fail to reduce speed or change lanes in intervention areas may be fined.

The proposal still depends on analysis in committees and a plenary vote, but the advancement of the debate indicates a growing consensus around the need to protect those who work daily on Brazilian highways.

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Drivers Could Be Fined If They Don’t Slow Down to 60 Km/H in Areas With Roadworks or Accidents: New Bill Amends the Traffic Code and Enhances Safety on Highways

Bill in Progress in the Chamber Requires Drivers to Reduce to 60 km/h and Change Lanes in Areas with Works or Accidents, Altering the Traffic Code to Reinforce Safety on Highways.

Details of the Project and Penalties Foreseen

Context and Justification

Impact on Highways and Enforcement

Proceedings and Next Steps

References and Relationship with International Policies

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Drivers Could Be Fined If They Don’t Slow Down to 60 Km/H in Areas With Roadworks or Accidents: New Bill Amends the Traffic Code and Enhances Safety on Highways

Bill in Progress in the Chamber Requires Drivers to Reduce to 60 km/h and Change Lanes in Areas with Works or Accidents, Altering the Traffic Code to Reinforce Safety on Highways.

Details of the Project and Penalties Foreseen

Context and Justification

Impact on Highways and Enforcement

Proceedings and Next Steps

References and Relationship with International Policies

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