12 fewer deaths on the roads in the first half of the year

The National Republican Guard (GNR) recorded 12 fewer deaths in road accidents in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2024, despite the increase in incidents, the military force revealed this Sunday.

“Considering the data relating to general road accidents in the first half of 2025, there was a reduction of 12 fatalities (-6.6%) compared to the same period in 2024”, indicates the GNR in the balance of road inspections up to June.

In a statement, the military force recalls that there were 1,131 more accidents, 14 more serious injuries and 177 more minor injuries, and that, in the periods under analysis, the districts with the highest number of accidents were Porto (6,419), Aveiro (4,319), Lisbon (4,479) and Braga (4,054).

"In 2025, collisions continue to be the most recorded type of accident, with 28,767 occurrences (+2.2%) and 78 fatalities. In run-offs, there were 11,849 accidents (+4.7%), with a slight reduction in fatalities," he highlights.

The GNR, however, noted a decrease in pedestrian run-overs, with 756 accidents (-3.6%) and nine deaths, 15 fewer than in 2024 (-62.5%), as well as a decrease in serious and minor injuries.

Regarding the type of road where accidents occur, a “pattern” was observed in the first halves of 2024 and 2025, with a greater number of accidents on streets, followed by national roads and highways.

“The roads where the most incidents occurred were the streets, with a total of 23,655 accidents in the first half of 2025, representing an increase compared to the 22,837 recorded in the same period of 2024”, he says, adding that there was also an increase on national roads: they went from 8,588 in 2024 to 8,572 in 2025.

In turn, on highways, an increase in accidents was also observed, with the total number of accidents rising from 4,115 to 4,423.

The GNR notes that there were “significant increases” in almost all indicators analyzed, demonstrating a “clear reinforcement” in inspection actions.

"In the first half of 2025, there were 7,281 drunk driving offenses, 1,499 more than in 2024 (5,782), representing an increase of approximately 25.9%. Unlicensed driving offenses also rose significantly, from 2,952 to 4,101, an increase of approximately 38.9%," he notes.

The number of drivers inspected also increased from 1,145,355 to 1,282,676, an increase of around 137 thousand drivers (12%).

“This increase in enforcement action was also reflected in the number of traffic violations detected, which rose from 180,436 in 2024 to 256,052 in 2025, corresponding to a growth of approximately 41.9%,” he maintains.

Considering road safety and reducing the number of fatalities on the roads a priority, the GNR recalls that it will intensify patrol and inspection actions throughout the year.

"These actions will have a markedly preventative aspect, without prejudice to a firm intervention in dissuading risky behavior, particularly that related to speeding or performing dangerous maneuvers," he explains.

The military force also advises all drivers to adjust their speed to the weather conditions, the condition of the road and the volume of road traffic, to avoid maneuvers that may result in traffic congestion or that may in some way cause accidents, and to adopt attentive, cautious and defensive driving, contributing to the reduction of road accident rates.