3,000 GNR on traffic duty this weekend

Paul 15 August 2014

gnrpatrol The 3,000+ GNR on traffic patrol this weekend have pledged to be 'particularly vigilant’ when looking out for drivers displaying ‘risky behaviour’ as an army of vehicles is driven to Portugal's coastal tourist spots for the summer hols.

This impressive total will patrol roads between Friday and Sunday, as part of 'Operation Hermes - Travel in Safety.'

This is the third phase of a four phase operation that started on July 13 and lasts until September 1, with an increase in road patrols for the 'support and supervision' of drivers on Portugal's roads.

GNR command said that 3,091 GNR traffic police will be on duty, looking out for dangerous overtaking, unannounced and seemingly random changes of direction, not giving way, not maintaining a safe distance, driving without a license, not using a seatbelt, not using child seats, using a mobile phone while driving and probably eating at the same time, driving when legless or stoned and of course - speeding.

During the first and second phases of the operation, 1,465 accidents were recorded with five fatalities, 28 serious injuries and 568 minor injuries. Some 618 drivers were found to be drunk, 536 drivers or passengers were not using a seat belt or a restraint system for children and 2,117 drivers were done for speeding.

It is not know how much revenue was raised as a result of these impressive figures but this weekend's purge should ensure hidden targets are hit.

The fourth and final phase of Operation Hermes will take place between August 29 and September 1, as people head back home after their summer break.

Comments

0 #4 John trcek 2014-08-16 09:02

I was stopped and fined €120 for entering a roundabout while other road users were on the roundabout. Was I moving NO, was there an accident NO, was anybody injured NO. It was just my front bumper over the line, not even my wheels, waiting for a car to turn onto the road that I was coming from. I was an easy target. All my documents were spot on. Have a nice day he said as he took my €120 off my card.

+1 #3 John M Haigh 2014-08-15 16:42

What a waist of time and money, why not just sit outside the police station in Lagos and remind motorist about the roundabout rules.

+1 #2 Ken Pratley 2014-08-15 11:51

Amongst the legion of expat 'You could not make it up' stories about Portugal is always to be found examples of the Portuguese Police 'manhunts'.

Two are on currently. Unconnected but both over a week old, both of interest to the general public and previously kept totally secret by the PJ and GNR. One, an elderly missing man – the relatives in frustration issuing a photo of who to look for. The other – a murderer, identity still bizarrely kept unknown.

In a more developed country we would be have known about both soon after their disappearance and so be keeping an eye out for both. One is 'at risk' …. the other is 'a risk' - but no difference is made here in Portugal.

As the McCann parents found out to their cost. :sad: