SCORES OF motorists are probably taking to the country’s roads after being disqualified from driving, according to road traffic police. In April alone, many disqualified motorists were caught red-handed by traffic police, while the number of motorists nabbed for driving while chatting on mobile phones stood at 1,803. However, the number booked is half the number of drivers caught this time last year, thanks to the new Highway Code (Código da Estrada) and new tough fines of between 120 and 600 euros. In 2004, there were around 136 drivers caught a day breaking the rules of the road, while the figure has dropped to around 80 a day this year. According to the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP), Coimbra, Évora, Leiria, Setúbal and Angra do Heroísmo are the worst affected areas for drivers using mobile phones. In April, the PSP banned 423 motorists from driving, while the GNR took licences away from 1,380 drivers.
Thousands on roads without a licence
