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“Portugal, despite being among the EU countries that most reduced the number of deaths on the roads between 2010 and 2019, still remains with worse numbers than the EU average”, says the Portuguese Road Prevention (PRP), after a report published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC).
An ETSC report on progress made in reducing road deaths in Europe since 2010 indicates that Portugal, together with Greece and the Baltic States, were the best performing countries in the EU.
The PRP considers that the Portuguese reality "still remains worrying" due to the number of fatalities being above the European average.
"With regard to Portugal, the situation is particularly serious with regard to accident rates within the localities, so the priorities should be focused on policies to be implemented aimed at reducing risk in urban areas. Protection of the most vulnerable users and management of speeds appropriate to urban areas are decisive conditions for the sustainable reduction of accidents", says the president of the PRP, José Miguel Trigoso, mentioned in the statement.
The PRP stresses that combating driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the distraction caused by the use of smartphones, must be "equally priority".
The PRP also highlights that the goal set by the European Union and its member states to halve road deaths by 2020 "will certainly not be achieved", despite the significant drop in the number of fatalities that has occurred in several countries in the past months due to confinement to face covid-19.
The report by the European Transport Safety Council shows that two of Europe's traditional leaders in road safety, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, while remaining relatively safe compared to road mortality, had more road deaths in 2019 than in 2010.
In this year's edition, the European Transport Safety Council rewarded Estonia for “remarkable progress”.
According to Portuguese Road Prevention, the ETSC calls on EU member states to accelerate the new targets for 2030, although the recent response to the covid-19 epidemic may indicate a way forward, namely a shift towards walking and cycling in urban areas, combined with changes in infrastructure and reductions in speed limits.
However, the ETSC stresses that if the EU returns to normal after the crisis, the results could be even worse than before.
ETSC is an independent non-profit organisation based in Brussels, dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries in transport in Europe.
In 2019, the number of road fatalities decreased by 7 percent last year compared to 2018, totalling 472, but road accidents and serious injuries increased, according to the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR).
According to ANSR, 2,288 people were seriously injured last year, 147 more than in 2018 (plus 3 percent), with a 2 percent increase (plus 2,664) in the number of road accidents, totalling 135,063.
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I don’t know the average age of cars on the road across the EU, but there are certainly a lot of 20+ years-old cars in Portugal. Many probably still have original and very weakened seatbelts, none have airbags or collision-avoidance systems, and their crumple-zones are far inferior to newer cars. The Portuguese climate means old cars can last a long time, but perhaps not so much their drivers.
By David Owen from Algarve on 21 Jun 2020, 09:51
As all expats know the standard of driving in Portugal is awful. Parking on roundabouts is standard practise as is tailgating of course. Every time you go round a bend on smaller roads there is a good chance someone coming the other way will be on your side of the road. Why Portuguese people who are normally very nice change so much when they sit behind a steering wheel I have no idea.
By Spencer Cox from Other on 21 Jun 2020, 12:16
First thing first, Portuguese shall start to learn how to drive as they are reckless without basic skills and never signalising on what they do is an example.And amongst all countries that have been visited including some 3rd world ones, Portugal is worst in terms of ratio of skills, attitude on the road versus infrastructure and laws.Plus shall be a law that impose the usage of headlights at all times outside cities and even within cities.In one sentence: portuguese will not do what it takes unless imposed by law and if they start to pay fees and penalties , they will start perhaps to be normal drivers.
By Aurel from Lisbon on 21 Jun 2020, 16:53
Maybe The Lack of pavements Might have something to do with high deaths?
By Rob from Lisbon on 21 Jun 2020, 20:04
The worst drivers I have ever come across. And absolutely no policing. I drive between Ericeira and Lisboa every day, and every day I pray I have a safe trip. In general, Portuguese drivers have no regard for anyone else on the roads, and they know there is no policing.
By Paul from Lisbon on 22 Jun 2020, 14:30
Our babysitter did a driver's license test. The inspector took her down the road, told her she'd passed and drove her back to the office! Another friend confirmed this was her experience too. Not surprised that the standards of driving are so bad if this is the level of testing.
By Joe from Lisbon on 06 Oct 2020, 10:52
Completely agree with your comments.
As a result of that almost got killed more than one time, as a pedestrian crossing the zebra path, when it was green light, and red for the traffic, they just don't have any responsibility, respect, norm and value.
By Sapphire Feirly Wilkinson from Other on 09 Feb 2021, 00:22
Indeed after travelling around the world ???? I find Portugal definitely a high risk country for drivers and pedestrians.
Its completely insane, as a tourist I'm afraid to drive in Portugal ????????.
I'm 29 years old, since 18 "years of age i have my driving licence, never had any accidents, actually drove in extremely bad circumstances according to infrastructure, excess of traffic, yet again never sow such danger situations as in Portugal and its not understandable, really they are nuts according to theirs ways of driving ????.
Also theirs completely attitude is a great issue and concern.
Thank you so much indeed.
By Sapphire Feirly Wilkinson from Other on 09 Feb 2021, 00:42
Three years passed, published this article, still the situation is same in Portugal. Nothing changed so far. I got almost killed by a careless female driver on a zebra crossing in Lisbon, 2 months ago. I got injured and broke some bones. The driver is still free on the road (free to kill and injured more people). I am waiting to recover and take this case to the court, to make an example for others.
The insurance companies, and corrupt driving schools, gives them permits to kill and pullover cars on people on the road. No check and balance whatsoever. It is an alarming situation, every year 40,000+ people injured in road accidents and 400+ people killed by these immature drivers in Portugal. That is a huge number. Surprisingly, how a driver got license in Portugal, if he or she doesn't know the basic and common road signs? Should be investigated by the IMT, if anybody care about the common people lives.
By M. Qammar from Lisbon on 03 Aug 2023, 15:19