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Project Aims to Make the Use of Fire Extinguishers in Passenger Cars and Utility Vehicles Mandatory. Measure Was Already Required in Brazil and May Come Back into Effect.
The use of fire extinguishers in cars may become mandatory again in Brazil. The Senate is reviewing a bill that aims to change the current rules and require all passenger and utility vehicles to carry the equipment again.
According to an article published on the portal O Antagonista, the proposal is advancing in Congress and may be voted on still this semester. The text is the House Bill (PLC) 159/2017, authored by Deputy Moses Rodrigues (União-CE).
What Does the Project Say About Fire Extinguishers in Cars?
Currently, the mandatory fire extinguisher in Brazil is required only for trucks, buses, and vehicles transporting hazardous materials. This change occurred in 2015 when the National Traffic Council (Contran) decided to remove the requirement for regular cars.
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But now, with the new project, the proposal is for all cars to be required to carry an ABC-type extinguisher, which fights different types of fires: solid materials, flammable liquids, and even electrical failures.
According to the official website of the Federal Senate, the rapporteur of the project, Senator Eduardo Braga (MDB-AM), supports the proposal stating that “about 17% of vehicle recalls in the country involve fire risks” and that the extinguisher can help prevent tragedies.
Who Is Against the Return of the Requirement?
Senator Styvenson Valentim (Podemos-RN), who is the rapporteur in the Committee on Economic Affairs (CAE), has spoken out against it. For him, many drivers do not know how to use the extinguisher, making it useless in real situations.
In an interview with CBN, he explained that the cost-benefit of the requirement is questionable. Furthermore, he emphasized that the extinguisher may end up being just another mandatory expense for drivers.
How Much Does a New Fire Extinguisher Cost?
If the project is approved, the item may cost around R$ 80, with a validity of up to five years, according to information from UOL Carros. There is still no prediction if the new rule will entail penalties such as fines or points on the license for those who do not have the equipment in the vehicle.
What Happens Now?
The proposal has already been reviewed by Senate committees and is ready for a vote in the plenary. If approved, it will proceed to the President of the Republic for sanction. The expectation, according to the Senate Agency, is that the discussion will take place in the first semester of 2025.
If it becomes law, Contran will be responsible for regulating the details, such as deadlines, exceptions, and possible changes for electric vehicles.
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