The preliminary reports from the Highway Police regarding the Carnival 2026 operations in Mato Grosso do Sul reveal alarming safety issues on the roads. Between February 13 and 17, two people lost their lives due to traffic accidents, and numerous violations were recorded as authorities worked to ensure road safety during the festivities. The majority of accidents were attributed to distractions or fatigue among drivers, highlighting a growing concern for driver attentiveness during this peak travel period.

In addition to the fatalities, various enforcement actions were taken by the local Military Highway Police (PMR) and the Federal Highway Police (PRF). State highways saw approximately 550 traffic violation notifications issued, while federal highways reported 29 accidents, with ten being serious. The incidents affected multiple individuals, with a total of 13 injuries reported in state operations and 27 in federal operations, alongside significant measures taken to monitor alcohol consumption among drivers, where over 4,700 breathalyzer tests were conducted.

The areas most impacted by accidents included the MS-080 and MS-040 highways, which are major routes linking cities like Campo Grande and Santa Rita do Pardo. This situation raises critical discussions on improving road safety measures and the importance of public awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies during Carnival, which is widely recognized as a time of celebration across Brazil but also presents significant challenges regarding road safety during travel peaks.