The Commission of Users of Via do Infante (CUVI) considers that the 10.752 accidents recorded in 2017 in the Algarve are a «very black record».
The numbers are in the report of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), already analyzed by Sul Informação.
In the Algarve there were, in 2017, 511 more accidents than in 2016. In national terms, there were 130.157 accidents, a number higher than the 127.210 in 2016.
In other words: the Algarve is in line with what was registered throughout the country, with more accidents registered.
In the region, 192 were seriously injured in 2017, 30 more than in 2016. In total, in Portugal, there were 2181 serious injuries in 2017, 79 more than in 2016.
But there is a number in which the Algarve does not coincide with the national trend: in the region there were 30 deaths last year, two fewer than in 2016.
In other words, on the roads in the Algarve, fewer people died in the year just ended, contrary to what happened at national level, where the number of fatalities increased. In 2017, there were a total of 509 deaths on Portuguese roads, 65 more than in the previous year.
According to the ANSR report, there were five districts where more deaths were registered than in the Algarve: Aveiro (44), Lisbon (51), Porto (68), Santarém (43) and Setúbal (56). The district where there were more deaths on the roads was, in fact, Porto.
For CUVI, the numbers are «very worrying and tragic» and occur, in particular, «on the EN125, an “urban street” transformed into a true “cemetery”, after the introduction of tolls on Via do Infante at the end of 2011».
Therefore, «the Commission of Users of Via do Infante disapproves with vehemence the recent increases seen in some sections of Via do Infante».
«Although the increases only affect the stretches between Tavira and Castro Marim, between Boliqueime and Loulé and between Mexilhoeira Grande and Alvor, they are very negative and wrong increases for the region. In addition to contributing to the aggravation of road accidents, as many drivers will take the congested EN125, they increase the difficulties for users and companies», considers the CUVI, in a statement.
“We must not forget that PS promised to reduce the price of tolls on the A22 by 50%. But what we had was a reduction of only 15% and two increases, at the beginning of 2017 and 2018. Tolls on this road continue to be one of the most expensive nationally. Once again the PS deceived the Algarve once again», he adds.
CUVI also blames «the deputies and governors of the previous PSD/CDS government», who, along with the Government, «are the ones truly responsible for the continuation of the bloody “undeclared state of war” that continues to live in the Algarve, main tourist region of the country'.
«Everyone knows that the EN125 does not represent any alternative to the Via do Infante, which is a very deadly road, which in one part has not even started its redevelopment (between Vila Real de Santo António and Olhão), and in the other part (in the area of Barlavento) the works continue and their requalification presents technical errors, thus increasing accidents, and they do nothing to put an end to wrong and deadly tolls».
“The main responsibility, in the current political situation, lies with the current government, its prime minister and PS deputies. António Costa, before the 2015 legislative elections, admitted to lifting the tolls on the A22, recognizing that the EN125 was a “cemetery”. António Costa and the PS must fulfill, as soon as possible, the promises they made to the Algarve», he adds.
In a statement, CUVI reveals that it will meet with various political, economic and social entities in the region, including the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), Algarve Tourism Region, ACRAL – Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region and NERA – Business Association of the Algarve Region.
In addition, that commission will ask for audiences with the prime minister and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic, «to meet with a broad delegation comprising elements of CUVI, businessmen, mayors and other entities of the Algarve».
Finally, CUVI will promote a slow march of vehicles along the EN125, on the next 20 de Janeiro (Saturday), between Portimão and Lagos, departing at 16 pm, from the Parque de Feiras de Portimão (next to the Pavilhão Arena).
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