📄 Documents the Driver Must Carry

• Personal identification document
• Valid driving licence
• Insurance certificate
• Vehicle identification document or equivalent (leasing or rental contract)
• Vehicle inspection certificate, when legally required
• Vehicle tax disc (Imposto Municipal sobre Veículos)

🚫 The Driver Is Forbidden To

• Use any type of earphones or radiotelephone device while driving, except hands-free systems that do not require continuous handling.
• Install or use any device designed to detect or interfere with equipment used to record or detect traffic offences.
• Transport children under 12 years of age or shorter than 150 cm without an approved restraint system.
• Throw any object onto the public road.

🏍️ Motorcyclists, Moped and Bicycle Riders Must Not

• Ride with their hands off the handlebars, except to signal a manoeuvre.
• Ride with their feet off the pedals or footrests.
• Be towed by another vehicle.
• Lift either wheel of the vehicle from the ground while moving.
• Ride side by side, except on specific lanes where this does not endanger or obstruct traffic.
• Carry children under seven years of age.

⚠️ The Driver Should Not

• Smoke, become distracted or argue while driving.
• Overeat before or during driving, as it causes drowsiness — if tired, stop and rest.
• Consume alcoholic drinks — alcohol increases sleepiness and impairs sight and judgment.

👁️ Gathering Information While Driving

When the driver's gaze is fixed on a distant point, the eyes still perceive a wide lateral area known as the visual field.

A practical method to widen this field is to keep the eyes moving actively, scanning as much of the surroundings as possible and frequently checking the mirrors.

Systematic visual observation greatly improves road safety, especially in urban environments with dense traffic.

🧩 Prediction, Anticipation and Decision

If a pedestrian unexpectedly steps onto the road, an instinctive attempt to swerve before braking may cause loss of control. Experienced drivers know the correct reaction is to brake first and only then, if necessary, steer to avoid — at a lower speed.

Sudden movements by distracted pedestrians, children, elderly people or animals are common and always represent a hazard for which the driver must be ready.

Developing habits of foresight and anticipation allows a driver to act calmly and correctly, well before danger arises.

🚗 Vehicle Control and Driving Skill

During training, drivers gain theoretical and practical knowledge of how to control a vehicle and recognise inevitable road risks.

With experience, some people become over-confident and distracted. However, inattention — even in skilled drivers — is dangerous and may cause serious errors during emergencies that demand quick and precise action.

A driver whose physical or mental state is impaired by illness, medication or lack of rest must refrain from driving until fully fit, to protect both personal and public safety.

🔎 Importance of Perception and Attention

Constant alertness is one of the best habits a driver can develop. Diverting attention — even for a few seconds — from the rapidly changing road environment can easily lead to an accident.

Actions that most often distract drivers include:

• Lighting a cigarette.
• Playing with children or pets in the vehicle.
• Using a mobile phone.
• Staring into the rear-view mirror for too long.
• Adjusting the radio or air-conditioning system.
• Cleaning the windscreen manually while moving.
• Trying to kill an insect inside the vehicle.

🛑 The IPDE System (Identify – Predict – Decide – Execute)

The IPDE process describes how defensive driving works:

1. Identify: observe the road ahead for people, vehicles, animals, or hazards that may require you to slow down, accelerate or steer.
2. Predict: anticipate what may happen next based on what you see.
3. Decide: choose the best action to avoid danger.
4. Execute: carry out the decision calmly and early enough to prevent an accident.

🚧 The Driver and Road Accidents

The rise in road accidents stems from the growing number of vehicles and insufficient driver training on safety issues.

Individual behaviour is crucial. No safety measure will succeed without the active cooperation of drivers and pedestrians in using public roads responsibly.

The driver's constant aim should be safety and traffic flow. Smooth traffic ensures comfort and economy for everyone.

Most accidents result from several factors, often including a driver's error due to distraction or lack of concentration. Responsible, attentive driving is therefore vital at all times.