Yellow May: Detran conducts educational approach on Avenida Augusto Montenegro
Vehicle drivers and cyclists received guidance on safe traffic on the avenue
One of the busiest avenues in Belém, Augusto Montenegro was the chosen point by the Department of Traffic of the State of Pará (Detran) for another educational action of the Yellow May campaign. During the morning of this Wednesday, teams from Detran and the Secretary of Security, Public Order and Urban Mobility of Belém (Segbel) focused in front of the Olympic Stadium of Pará, the Mangueirão, to approach and guide drivers on safe attitudes in traffic.
The operation focused on the main risk factors that contribute to traffic accidents: correct use of helmets and seat belts, respect for speed limits, prohibition of using mobile phones while driving, attention to pedestrian and cyclist crossings, and the prohibition of combining alcohol and driving.
Known for its intense vehicle flow, Avenida Augusto Montenegro is one of the main corridors connecting peripheral neighborhoods to the city center, housing a growing number of commercial enterprises, educational institutions, and residential areas. The road is also an important axis of the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system in Belém.
According to Detran's Education Coordinator, Carlos Valente, the massive presence of different modes of transport requires even more attention to traffic rules. “With so much traffic from vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, road safety precautions need to be doubled. We are here today conducting another educational action to alert drivers about the importance of complying with traffic rules and responsible behaviors that protect lives. But this awareness needs to be shared by everyone,” he emphasized.
During the action, drivers and cyclists were approached individually by education agents, such as the case of caretaker Alex Cardoso. A resident of the Tapanã neighborhood, he uses the avenue daily to commute to work and approved of the initiative. “I thought this approach was very cool because it is for our safety and to reduce accidents. Sometimes we know we shouldn't behave a certain way on the road, but we end up being reckless, riding in the BRT lane, which is wrong and can put our lives at risk,” he acknowledged.
Another participant in the action was driving instructor Jairo Neves. An experienced motorcyclist, he highlighted the importance of the educational approach, especially among those who have already undergone training but forget good practices in their daily lives. “These approaches need to happen regularly to raise awareness. Wearing a helmet, keeping the visor down, and fastening the buckle is essential. Not doing so is dangerous and an infraction. Licensed drivers have already taken classes and learned about traffic laws, but when they get their license, they often forget and end up being reckless. Only with this awareness can people change their behavior,” he assessed.
Yellow May is an international awareness movement about traffic safety, aimed at reducing the number of accidents and deaths on the roads. This year's edition brings the theme “Human Mobility, Human Responsibility,” reinforcing the need for a more empathetic, fair, and safe traffic for all. In Pará, Detran has been promoting educational actions since the beginning of the month in various public and private spaces, including schools, companies, institutions, and urban roads, in addition to the agency's headquarters.
Text: Leidemar Oliveira - Ascom/Detran
