Nearly 2,000 Traffic Accidents Recorded on Brazilian Federal Highways Ahead of Christmas 2025
A surge in accidents on Brazil’s federal highways before Christmas 2025 resulted in nearly 2,000 crashes, causing hundreds of injuries and deaths, prompting urgent safety calls.
- • Brazil recorded 1,861 traffic accidents on federal highways from December 16 to 23, 2025.
- • These accidents caused over 2,100 injuries and 163 fatalities.
- • Notable incidents include a truck fire on BR 040, a speeding car collision on BR 101, and a fatal accident in Espírito Santo.
- • Experts emphasize obeying speed limits, practicing defensive driving, and wearing seat belts to reduce accidents.
Key details
In the week leading up to Christmas 2025, Brazil witnessed a sharp increase in traffic accidents on federal highways, with the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) reporting 1,861 incidents from December 16 to 23. These accidents resulted in over 2,100 injuries and 163 fatalities, underscoring a critical road safety concern as holiday travel surged.
Noteworthy incidents included a truck overturn and subsequent fire on BR 040 in Esmeraldas, where the driver survived after losing control reportedly due to another vehicle's behavior. On BR 101 in Biguaçu, a speeding car collided with two pedestrians and two PRF agents; the driver refused to perform a breathalyzer test. A tragic accident in Espírito Santo claimed the lives of four family members, with the driver still at large.
The most affected states were Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, and Paraná, which recorded the highest number of crashes. Traffic safety experts have urged drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits, maintain safe distances, practice defensive driving, and wear seat belts to reduce risks during this high-traffic holiday period.
The PRF’s partial report highlights the grit of road users and law enforcement in managing the surge but stresses the urgent need for increased caution and responsibility behind the wheel to prevent further loss of life during the festive season.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
