The Portuguese Government has announced plans to install twelve additional average‑speed cameras on national roads by the end of the year, reinforcing its commitment to reducing road crashes and improving compliance with traffic regulations.

The initiative was confirmed by the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Rui Rocha, who emphasized that the new enforcement points are being evaluated by the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) to ensure they serve primarily as preventive tools. According to Rocha, the objective is to encourage safer driving behaviour and ensure that motorists adhere to existing rules, strengthening a system‑wide approach to road safety.

Vision

The announcement was made during the signing of the “Vision Zero — More Responsibility for Portugal’s Roads” protocol at the facilities of Lusoponte, the operator responsible for the 25 de Abril and Vasco da Gama bridges. Speaking to the press, Rocha highlighted the Government’s intention to reduce national road fatalities by addressing critical points on Portugal’s road network. He recalled that a recent study by ANSR identified several high‑risk locations where strengthened monitoring and preventive measures could have a meaningful impact on reducing accidents.

The new protocol between ANSR and Lusoponte forms part of Portugal’s long‑term strategy to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries. Its ambitions align with the principles of Vision Zero, aiming for zero fatalities and zero serious injuries by 2050. Intermediate goals include reducing deaths and serious injuries by at least 50% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, which would mean lowering fatalities on Portuguese roads to no more than 313 per year. These targets reflect a national commitment to integrating infrastructure safety, technological innovation and behavioural change into a cohesive and sustained effort.

Locations

When asked about where the new average‑speed cameras will be placed, Rocha noted that the specific locations remain under assessment by ANSR. The authority is currently working to map and analyse critical sections of the national road network to ensure that deployment corresponds to areas with the greatest potential for risk reduction. He pointed to Lusoponte’s achievement of zero fatalities on its network in 2025 as evidence that well‑designed and well‑managed safety interventions can deliver measurable results.

Tech

Rocha also highlighted the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the future of road safety enforcement and traffic management. Discussions are underway with governmental departments responsible for digitalisation to integrate advanced technologies that can enable faster incident detection, more effective monitoring and more accurate risk prediction. While he acknowledged the importance of these tools, Rocha stressed that technology alone cannot prevent road crashes. A significant share of road fatalities continues to stem from dangerous driving behaviours, and addressing these behaviours remains a core priority of national policy.

Risks

The Secretary of State underscored that one‑third of road deaths in Portugal are linked to excessive speed, reinforcing the need for effective speed management. He also warned about the persistent dangers of impaired and distracted driving. One in four road‑traffic fatalities involves a driver with an illegal blood‑alcohol level, while the use of mobile phones behind the wheel dramatically increases the likelihood of a collision. These behavioural risks illustrate that compliance, responsibility and public awareness must accompany enforcement and infrastructure improvements to achieve meaningful and lasting progress.