During the Carnival period this year, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) in Maranhão registered a dramatic rise in traffic violations on federal highways, particularly with the number of speeding fines doubling compared to last year's festivities. This increase highlights the ongoing issue of reckless driving during holiday seasons, as the main highway, BR-135, saw the highest traffic volume and the majority of incidents reported.

Throughout the Carnival, 17 accidents were recorded, resulting in four fatalities, which underscores the dangers associated with high traffic volumes and irresponsible driving behaviors such as illegal overtaking and driving under the influence. Speeding emerged as the most common violation, with a staggering increase from 560 instances last year to 1,100 this year, revealing a concerning trend in driver behavior during this busy period.

Specific roadways such as BR-402, which leads to popular tourist attractions like Lençóis Maranhenses, reported the highest speeds and a significant number of illegal overtakes. The PRF has issued warnings regarding the nature of these single-lane highways, which require extra caution from drivers to prevent accidents and ensure safety on the roads, especially during peak travel times like Carnival.