Port of Santos reinforces truck traffic enforcement and carries out educational campaigns

The dynamics of truck traffic are fundamental to the operation of the Port of Santos (Vanessa Rodrigues/Arquivo AT)

The dynamics of truck traffic are fundamental to the operation of the Port of Santos, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. However, in a scenario of thousands of violations recorded by the Polícia Militar Rodoviária (PMR) — with 105,600 traffic tickets issued last year on the main highways serving the region — the entity responsible for managing the Santos waterfront is also strengthening its attention to the issue.

The Autoridade Portuária de Santos (APS), which has jurisdiction over the roads within the organized port area, periodically conducts educational campaigns and, through the Guarda Portuária, enforcement operations with roadblocks (blitzes), including the use of breathalyzers, with the aim of raising drivers’ awareness about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Most of the citations are motivated by imprudence, such as running red lights, or simple disrespect for traffic laws, such as illegal parking. These are compounded by the use of cell phones, lack of seat belt use, and prohibited U-turns or turns”, APS explained in a statement.

The state-owned company also emphasized that “citations have an educational nature, but with the objective of preserving road safety and raising drivers’ awareness.”

Decline in incidents

According to the Port Authority, the Guarda Portuária (GPort) plays an important role in monitoring irregularities involving trucks traveling through Port of Santos. The institution has a Traffic Sector that, among its responsibilities, “promotes awareness lectures for internal and external audiences and monitors traffic incidents in order to identify locations with the highest occurrence rates.”

In addition, according to APS, several vehicles are inspected on port roads, and this work is intensified at access control points to the docks. Documents required by the Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (CTB), or specific documents depending on the cargo or other conditions — such as the transport of hazardous products — are verified.

As a result, in 2025 a 30% decrease in traffic accidents was recorded. The percentage of fatal traffic occurrences in the Port, relative to the total number of incidents, was 0.71%. In the State, the rate was 5.29%, and in the Baixada Santista it was 5.01%, with Guarujá registering 4.25% and Santos 2.28%.

APS also notes that port traffic receives around 15,000 trucks and 50,000 people daily, and about 1 million people circulate during the cruise season. This intense movement occurs on roads with operational characteristics that differ greatly from urban and rural traffic, as there is uninterrupted interaction between trucks, light vehicles, bicycles, buses, trains, machinery, oversized or overweight vehicles, railway lines, and construction works, among other elements.

Last Sunday, A Tribuna reported that GPort, within the Poligonal of Port area, inspected 444 vehicles last year, issuing 136 citations and carrying out 37 towing operations. In 22 cases, the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH) was expired, of an incorrect category, or the driver did not have the document in possession. Another 44 vehicles had an expired Certificado de Registro e Licenciamento do Veículo (CRLV); 87 had an expired or unproven Certificado de Inspeção para o Transporte de Produtos Perigosos (CETPP); 54 had an expired or unverified Certificado de Inspeção para o Transporte de Produtos Perigosos (CIPP) and/or Certificado de Inspeção Veicular (CIV). In addition, 32 drivers had an expired toxicological exam.

Awareness

APS reports that it participates jointly with the Observatório Nacional de Segurança Viária (ONSV) in the Yellow May campaign, which aims to raise drivers’ awareness about road safety, respect for traffic laws, and the value of life.

“In this campaign, vehicles are stopped and drivers receive informational materials and guidance from the traffic agent teams of the Guarda Portuária. In addition, educational actions, agent training, and enforcement operations are regularly carried out in partnership with the Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (Antaq), Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT), and Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama), as well as the Operação RegulAR, a joint enforcement action between the APS Environmental Management department and the Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (Cetesb), aimed at verifying vehicle pollutant emission levels”, the state-owned company explained.

The campaign also seeks to raise awareness and monitor drivers regarding the importance of preventive maintenance to reduce black smoke emissions and improve the city’s quality of life.

Series

This is the second report in a special series of five publications addressing the situation of trucks accessing the Port of Santos from the perspective of the various entities involved in the port ecosystem. The series began last Sunday.

Situation is similar in Paraná ports

Another important export corridor in Brazil, the Port of Paranaguá, in Paraná, also deals with violations committed by trucks circulating in the area. To give an idea, in 2025 the port’s screening yard received more than 507,000 trucks.

The site has 330,000 square meters and 1,000 parking spaces. It is responsible for organizing, classifying, and directing solid vegetable bulk cargo that is sent to the terminals and later loaded onto ships.

According to Portos do Paraná, which manages the port complex, biweekly enforcement blitzes are carried out in the screening yard, within the port area, and even on the docks. During these operations, security agents check vehicle conditions, speeds on the roads, required documentation, and provide guidance on safe traffic practices. Breathalyzer tests are also conducted.

“In addition to the actions already mentioned, which target external drivers, Portos do Paraná carries out constant traffic safety campaigns, especially during Yellow May. Regarding inspections, the Port Authority, within its area of operation, checks the use of seat belts, the condition of tires and vehicles in general, the documentation of both vehicle and driver, and authorization to circulate within the port. On the dock lanes there are also constant reminders to respect the maximum speed limit, which cannot exceed 30 km/h.”

Portos do Paraná also emphasized that “all port workers undergo training before accessing the docks to avoid any safety problems, and the authority encourages the use of vehicles in good condition and proper working order.”