Portugal’s Christmas Traffic Crackdown: 235 Arrests, 2 Dead

Navigation apps may have warned drivers about traffic, but few were prepared for the wave of arrests that swept Portuguese roads in the first 48 hours of the holiday policing blitz. A total of 235 people were taken into custody, and the early numbers suggest that the familiar hazards of drink-driving, speed and distracted behaviour remain stubbornly hard to eradicate.

What Stands Out So Far

• A total of 235 arrests: 92 by the GNR and 143 by the PSP

• 106 alcohol-related detentions (68 GNR, 38 PSP)

• 43 unlicensed-driving arrests (24 GNR, 19 PSP)

• 837 road accidents recorded, resulting in 2 deaths and 14 serious injuries

• Enforcement effort dovetails with the nationwide safety campaign “O melhor presente é estar presente”

Surge in Early DetentionsHoliday traffic traditionally brings a spike in policing, yet this year’s operation began with an unusually brisk tempo. Between Thursday and Saturday, the GNR confirmed 68 arrests for drink-driving and 24 for unlicensed driving, while the PSP logged 38 for alcohol and 19 for licence offences. Officers on both forces say the figures mirror the pre-pandemic peak of 2023 rather than the softer numbers seen last Christmas.

Alcohol Behind Most ArrestsAlthough roadside breath tests have become almost as synonymous with December as mulled wine, the problem remains entrenched. Of the GNR’s 68 alcohol-related detentions, 51 exceeded 1.2 g/l—the threshold at which a misdemeanour becomes a criminal act. The PSP paints a similar picture: nearly two-thirds of its alcohol-related arrests stem from blood-alcohol levels that cross the same limit.

Speed, Phones and Seatbelts: The Persistent TrioBeyond the people who ended the night in handcuffs, thousands more are facing fines. In GNR jurisdictions alone, officers issued 479 tickets for speeding, 98 for mobile-phone use and 64 for incorrect seatbelt or child-seat use. PSP patrols added 213 speeding citations and 24 phone-related infractions. Police commanders stress that while these violations rarely lead to detention, they feed Portugal’s accident tally—still one of the highest per capita in Western Europe.

How 2024 Compares With Recent Festive SeasonsPreliminary data hint at a plateau after two years of improvement. Total Christmas-period arrests fell from 2,844 in 2022 to 1,675 in 2023, yet early 2024 numbers break the downward trajectory. Road-crime specialists caution that only the final report in January will confirm the trend, but they already fear that behavioural fatigue may be eclipsing last year’s gains.

Regional Hotspots and Deployment StrategyThis year’s policing map reflects traffic flows: the A1 and A3 corridors toward the North receive the heaviest GNR presence during the Christmas phase, followed by a southward shift after Boxing Day as holiday-makers head for Algarve celebrations. PSP fielded extra officers in Lisbon, Porto, Évora and Beja, areas where previous seasonal operations saw spikes in property theft that often accompany busy shopping districts.

Expert Voices Split on Deterrence vs EducationTraffic-safety scholars contacted by Público defend the annual crackdown, arguing that visible enforcement deters casual risk-takers. Yet others, such as Luís Guedes from the University of Coimbra, claim the figures expose the limits of a punitive approach: “People weigh the chance of being caught against convenience. Until we normalise calling a cab or designating a driver, the statistical needle may barely move.” The National Road Safety Authority counters that its multimedia campaign—broadcast on television, radio and social media—already blends enforcement with behavioural nudges.

How to Stay Safe on the Road This ChristmasThe authorities’ advice is hardly new, but the data give it extra urgency:

Plan routes outside peak departure windows on 22–24 December.

If festive drinks are likely, pre-book a taxi or ride-share—cheaper than a fine and far cheaper than legal fees.

Double-check that child restraints meet current EU standards; police will stop you if they do not.

Remember that Portugal’s national limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers, 0.2 g/l for novices; but any reading from 1.2 g/l triggers criminal proceedings.

The Numbers at a Glance| Indicator | GNR | PSP | Combined ||-----------|-----|-----|----------|| Arrests (48 h) | 92 | 143 | 235 || Alcohol-related arrests | 68 | 38 | 106 || Unlicensed driving arrests | 24 | 19 | 43 || Total road accidents | 433 | 404 | 837 || Fatalities | 1 | 1 | 2 || Serious injuries | 7 | 7 | 14 |

With holiday traffic expected to intensify through New Year’s Day, police say the next fortnight will test whether the early figures are an outlier or a warning. For now their message is blunt: arrive alive, or you may not arrive at all.