In a statement, the GNR says that the "RoadPol – Safety Days" operation, which begins on Tuesday and ends on September 22, "aims to raise awareness and promote safer driving habits and contribute to the reduction of traffic accidents caused by aggressive driving behaviour."
"It is important to highlight that aggressive driving, combined with excessive speed, inattention, and erratic manoeuvring by drivers, increases the likelihood of traffic accidents, and that on average, 70 people die on European roads every day," according to the police.
Roadpol, of which the GNR is a member and national representative, is an organization established by European traffic police forces to improve road safety and law enforcement.
According to the GNR statement, these operations aim to "create a safer road environment through simultaneous intervention on the main causes of accidents, seeking to positively influence road users to adopt safer behaviours."
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Português (Brasil)
I love Portugal but I don't enjoy driving here. Tailgating is a huge problem. When I'm on the freeways, I drive at or a few km/h over the 120km/h limit. Cars roar up behind me at 160 or more and then drive a metre or two behind me, even when I am overtaking cars and can't pull over. On the A1 and A2 it happens at least once every 10 minutes or so. I firmly believe that most accidents in Portugal are caused by this type of driving. The GNR should install some sort of camera system to catch tailgaiters.
A second huge problem is speeding. On the A1 and A2 every few minutes I see cars travelling at 160 km/h or more. There should be more hidden traps. A very simple way of catching speeders would be to take the time they pass through toll gates and work out average speeds. The costs would be minimal and I'm sure it would have huge benefits.
By Stuart Aberdein from Porto on 15 Sep 2025, 14:48
Not before time. I regularly get stressed, arrogant and impatient drivers behind me, angry that I'm doing the speed limit and not more, forcing them to drive more slowly.
I get a kick out of totally ignoring them, and continuing to drive at the same speed! I obey the traffic and road use laws of Portugal, not the drivers behind me.
If you set out on your journey on time, you wouldn't need to be in a rush. Think of the waste of fuel those drivers also suffer from accelerating aggressively up to the car in front, then having to brake to avoid a collision. I also see people accelerating up to traffic lights or a stop sign, then slamming the brakes on, only to re-accelerate again. That type of driving wastes fuel. Not that I'd expect those foolish drivers to even be aware of this.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 16 Sep 2025, 12:17
Stuart is spot-on. Tailgating and speeding have to be the leading causes of accidents in Portugal. A22 is like a race track. And motorcycles? Forget about it. I've never seen such reckless motorcycle riding anywhere. Passing on the right, driving in a car's blind spot, and overtaking when the car is going the speed limit are all common behaviours for motorcycle riders in the Agarve. This kind of enforcement is needed. I've occasionally driven fast, but never when other cars are nearby and never overtaking or tailgating.
By Clive from Algarve on 16 Sep 2025, 18:48