On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Oswaldo Cruz Highway (SP-125), which connects Taubaté to Ubatuba in São Paulo's North Coast, is experiencing significant congestion coinciding with the onset of Carnaval celebrations. The heavy flow of vehicles is mainly due to tourists traveling to Ubatuba, known for its beaches, and to São Luiz do Paraitinga, which hosts one of the state's traditional Carnaval festivities. As families and revelers take advantage of the holiday, the highway has become increasingly busy.

An accident further exacerbated the situation, as a vehicle rollover occurred around 7:30 AM at kilometer 83 near Ubatuba. Fortunately, reports indicate that there were no road closures, but the State Highway Department (DER) noted slow-moving traffic through the mountainous section of the highway due to the volume of cars. This specific area is known for its scenic views but can become bottlenecked during high-traffic periods like the Carnaval weekend.

As traffic continues to build, authorities, including the Police and local emergency services, have been contacted to monitor the situation and assist if necessary. The influx of tourists is a common sight during festive periods in Brazil, causing both economic benefits for local businesses and challenges for transportation infrastructure. The expectation is that traffic will remain heavy as more people travel to celebrate Carnaval festivities.