Staying safe on Brazil's roads and highways
The shocking December 7th murder of noted Canadian businessman Dean Tiessen as a result of stumbling across a cargo hijacking in progress on the Anchieta Highway while returning to São Paulo from the coast got me really thinking about how it could have all been avoided with a little bit of knowledge. So I am putting these safety tips forward in hopes that all expats will take extra precautions while on Brazil's highways and byways.
Cargo hijackings increase at a rate of over 10% each year and between them São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro account for fully 75% of all cargo robberies in the country. Dean and his business partner, Dr. Paul Carver, not knowing the warning signs to be alert for saw a car and truck stopped at the side of a heavy movement highway. Thinking that what they were looking at was a motor vehicle accident they stopped to see if they could offer assistance. Unfortunately at that moment the pair became an imminent threat to heavily armed robbers in action. Dean was shot to death while trying to remove his seatbelt.
Traffic Accidents (that you are not involved in):
Unless you actually witness an accident happen and thus are certain what you are seeing really is an accident DO NOT STOP, not ever. If you feel you must do something note the location and phone the police to report the incident.
While Art. 304 of the Código Nacional de Trânsito requires motorists to stop and give medical assistance to victims of accidents you must remember that first of all any such law always should be construed to read without just cause and second that the letter of the law and the intent of a law are often two vastly different things. The INTENT of Art. 304 is really to require drivers who are actually involved in the accident to give aid to those injured. No law can compel anyone to put themselves in harm's way.
Unless you are a medical doctor, nurse, paramedic or someone with extensive medical knowledge (who might possibly be held to a higher standard) you are under no legal obligation to render assistance. Even if you are, you would have just cause for not doing so if you believed that it would put you in danger of any kind. Also the law itself is mute as to the nature of assistance. Legally you are only required to notify the proper authorities. Regardless of who you are, my advice would remain the same DO NOT STOP, note the location of the incident (using Km. marker signs if possible) and depending on your location dial 190 for the Military Police or 191 for the Federal Highway Police.
Highway overpasses or pedestrian overpasses:
Exercise extreme caution when approaching highway overpasses or pedestrian overpasses, especially if you see anyone standing in a fixed location on either. Bandits use both to throw concrete blocks, bricks and large rocks on passing vehicles in order to force them to stop and thus facilitate armed robberies. Many motorists have been killed by the falling objects and many others killed by the bandits during the robbery. If possible to do so safely; when you approach an overpass (with someone standing on it) as you get close switch lanes quickly without signaling or zigzag to make yourself a much more difficult target. This will throw the would-be robber off his stride and probably prevent the incident altogether.
Road Rage can kill you in Brazil:
Brazilian motorists are the most imprudent and aggressive drivers you will ever encounter. Many Brazilians are extremely violent individuals once they get behind the steering wheel and many also carry firearms. Drive with extreme caution at all times. On highways NEVER drive in the left lane, repeat NEVER. Being a "Left Lane Hog" back home will surely piss people off, but here in Brazil it will get you killed - guaranteed! Reserve the lane for passing only and return immediately to the right lane as soon as it is safe to do so. Maintain extra distance between your vehicle and the one ahead which will afford a greater opportunity for an aggressive or impatient driver to pass you. If necessary move toward the right shoulder of the roadway in order to facilitate the motorist to pass. Driving too slowly in Brazil can often be more dangerous than driving too fast, so try to keep up to the flow of traffic, but never dog pack.
If you are cut off in traffic or another motorist does something stupid or unexpected NEVER get angry, NEVER swear at him/her and NEVER make any obscene hand gestures. This is all the provocation some motorists need to stop, pull out a gun and start shooting. DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION.
False police vehicles or officers:
Be warned that unlike most other civilized countries on earth in Brazil it is very easy to purchase police paraphernalia, uniforms, badges, etc. There have been many cases where robbers have used uniforms and even vehicles equipped to resemble unmarked cruisers and even counterfeit marked police cruisers to commit serious crimes. They are always heavily armed and extremely dangerous. So you can't always trust that old saying If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. Exercise extreme caution when you are ordered to stop by someone who appears to be in authority, especially if they are in an unmarked vehicle or not in full uniform. Be extremely vigilant if this also happens to be in some isolated location, it could be a trap. Just remember NEVER make any quick moves, remain calm, keep your hands in plain sight at all times and do EXACTLY what you're told to do without question; your life may depend on it. Remember above all nothing you have is more valuable than your life, better to give up your belongings without any resistance and live to tell about it.
Avoid driving at night:
Most alcohol related accidents happen at night so you're improving your odds of surviving your trip greatly just by restricting your driving to daylight hours. You will also run less risk of encountering truckers and other motorists who may be drowsy and present an unnecessary hazard.
At any time of day, but especially at night, exercise caution when approaching traffic signal. If you're still a way off from a signal and you think it might turn red before you get there slow right down so you won't have to stop completely before it turns green again. If at all possible try to keep rolling, no matter how slowly. Robbers (mostly on motorcycles) target vehicles that stop at traffic signals for blitz attacks. In some larger cities motorists won't even stop for a red signal at night, so be careful when entering an intersection too. If you must stop at a traffic signal because there are other vehicles ahead of you, NEVER get too close! Always leave enough room between you and the vehicle ahead to allow you an escape route should you need it.
Brazilian highways are often poorly lit, poorly marked and signage is often obscured by vegetation or other obstructions. Road conditions in some parts of the country are precarious at best so that is also another good reason not to drive after dark if you can avoid doing so.
Follow these rules PLEASE and stay safe.
Cheers,
William James Woodward Brazil & Canada Expert, Expat-blog Team