Effective starting this Sunday, Porto Alegre introduces Detectores de Avanço de Sinal (DAS), radars designed to identify and fine drivers who run red lights. The initial rollout includes two intersections, but plans for a total of 15 devices by May are in place, indicating a significant enhancement of road safety measures in the city. The two locations currently monitored are the intersection of Protásio Alves Avenue with Vicente da Fontoura Street and Bento Gonçalves Avenue with Princesa Isabel Avenue.

The DAS radars, colloquially known as 'Caetanos,' are named after Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso, a figure who has criticized motorists for ignoring traffic signals at various points in his career. With these new measures, Porto Alegre's transportation authority, Empresa Pública de Transporte e Circulação (EPTC), aims to deter red light violations and promote safer driving habits. This initiative marks an increased effort by local authorities to enhance traffic enforcement through technology.

Drivers caught running a red light by these cameras will incur a fine according to article 208 of the Brazilian Traffic Code, categorizing the violation as serious and potentially leading to more severe penalties for repeat offenders. As the city gears up for wider implementation, it emphasizes the importance of compliance with traffic laws for the safety of all road users and aims to reduce the number of accidents associated with red-light running.