An unusual and dangerous video captured a car in the middle of the Expressway, in São Martinho, being used as a mobile firework launch platform, confirm images released on the Instagram page Illegal Society Madeira.
In the video, it is possible to see the vehicle driving along the highway while rockets are fired continuously from the sunroof, illuminating the road and creating a high-risk scenario for other drivers. The use of the “four-way flashers” (hazard lights) was used in an attempt to validate the dangerous maneouver.
The release of the images immediately aroused a wave of criticism and concern. The question “Where were the Public Security Police (PSP)?” Echoes constantly among the comments, especially at a time when the authorities had announced a reinforcement of police surveillance for the New Year celebrations.
The conduct visible in the video goes far beyond a simple New Year’s Eve joke and is severely punishable under Portuguese law.
- Throwing Objects: According to the Highway Code (Article 79), it is forbidden to throw any objects outside the vehicle. In the case of explosive/pyrotechnic devices, the severity is accentuated.
- Dangerous Driving (Crime): More than an administrative offence, this behaviour can fall under the crime of dangerous driving (Article 291 of the Criminal Code). If the authorities consider that the maneouver created “danger to the life or physical integrity of others, or to the property of others of high value,” the driver can be punished with a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine.
- Misuse of lights: The use of the four flashers without justification for malfunction or unforeseen danger is also punishable by a fine.
The police authorities must now analyse the images provided by Via Litoral to try to identify the vehicle’s license plate and its occupants, and may initiate the respective criminal or misdemeanor proceedings.
A video of this incident is available on Dnoticias and Instagram.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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