Eight people died as a result of road accidents in Portugal during the Christmas period from December 21 to 26.
A total of 1,225 traffic accidents were registered by the GNR, representing a drop of 95 accidents and eight fewer deaths on the same period in 2011.
In the Algarve, a total of 71 accidents were recorded – one person died, three were seriously injured and 12 suffered minor injuries.
No road deaths were recorded during the New Year’s festive period. The number of road accidents recorded on New Year’s Day totalled 132, five less than the same day in 2012; four people were seriously injured and 67 suffered slight injuries.
Road deaths in Algarve
Meanwhile, a total of 44 people died in road accidents in the Algarve during 2012 which numbered the same as the figures for 2011, according to statistics released by the Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR).
The number of serious injuries resulting from traffic accident was 155 which represents 18 less than the previous year.
Since the introduction of tolls on the A22 more than 3,000 additional motorists have opted to travel on the EN125 instead of the motorway, which has seen a 50% reduction in traffic in 2012.
